New York’s high line has successfully transformed a former rail line into a unique park which elegantly weaves through the cityscape. These photographs track the progress of the High Line from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 30th Street, where the park currently comes to an end.
Little design touches along the High Line reference its former incarnation as a rail line.
Plenty of space is allocated for walkways, though greenery is never forgotten. Why remove the rail lines when you can design around them?
It’s easier than you’d think to get lost in a linear park, so directions are etched along the route.
Seating is provided as the park passes beneath a building which spans overhead.
The park is predominantly accessed by steps, though elevators are available at certain points along the route.
Those rail lines emerge from the shrubbery.
This being America, as soon as an area becomes popular, billboard advertising swiftly follows.
Planning on spending a while in the park? Kick back on some of the built-in recliners.
Recycling facilities are located throughout the park.
Fancy watching the traffic pass by beneath you? This viewing area allows you to do just that.
The raised elevation of the park offers spectacular views, framing the city’s buildings…
… and the city’s streets.
Residents along the High Line have now got a very different view to that of a few years ago.
A nice idea, but the location of these bird boxes right next to the walkway means inhabitation is unlikely.
In case you’ve forgotten, it used to be a rail line.
The only area of the high line to feature turf is an unsurprisingly popular spot along the route. Its so popular that it is closed on certain days of the week to allow the turf to recover!
The turf might be out of bounds, but there’s always plenty of seating provided.
Taking advantage of the park’s popularity, this new development leans inwards, maximising space and views.
At this stage, the path becomes raised as the base of the High Line is given over exclusively to greenery.
Before too long the path slopes down once again, leaving the small stretch of untouched greenery behind.
The success of the High Line means surrounding land is now in high demand for development.
And if development’s not possible, you could always stick in a temporary theme park.
As we reach 30th street, the High Line comes to a rather undignified end, for a reason.
Whilst the park currently ends at 30th Street, plans are underway to extend it to 34th street. Considering the huge success of the project so far, this extension will likely proceed with little resistance.
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