this weekend we visited the "new high line" park, just opened this month in the meat packing district of nyc. the park takes advantage of an old elevated rail line (
official website) pairing modern landscape architecture with the old tracks, "native" plantings and the colorful urban surrounds. here is the entrance at gansevoort street:
recession, what recession? lots of time, effort and $ went into the sleek design features and plantings in this park. (all the wood is ipe.)
one thing that surprised me is that the plantings were a nice size, and there was a bevy of grounds keepers weeding away. the park has only been open a few weeks, but with all the rain we've had, i bet the weeds are fierce! here's an old switch...
here is a clever pairing, the red brick building and rust-colored heuchera...
it helps to enlarge this photo, so you can see the white pallida echinacea drooping among the sumac, rails and ties...
you can see the hudson river from several points in the park. these plantings were pretty, but will look fantastic as the park matures.
clever use of tines of concrete as edging and cute light fixtures... there was a liberal use of echnicea 'after sunset' in the park, which was the brightest color.
ipe deck with benches amongst river birches...
ipe ampitheater, with a view of traffic below! someone has a sense of humor!
i love the iac building on the left. which contrasts beautifully with the new building on the right.
i never noticed this blue-windowed building, but i love it! one of the great things about this park is seeing the array of architechture around it.
nice contrast, echinacea 'sundown' and the blue draped building...
i liked the liatrus so much i couldn't resist posting two photos! here in front of older houses...
and here in front of a simpler backdrop...
this photo gives a sense of the scale of the park... i think it's about 10 blocks long, and will be longer when finished.
view of the hudson and nj off to the west. see the big yacht under the crane and the 2 masted sailboat? that's how the other half lives...
ok, here you are supposed to focus on the sun lounge chairs on train wheels that can be slid along the tracks... not the couple. all the chairs were occupied at all times we were there. people were having fun playing with these, but with all the safety craziness these days, i wonder how long before they lock the wheels!
finally, here is what the high line looks like from the street. it truly is a new hidden treasure, there above our heads! thanks for coming on the tour with me!
