The last train ran freight along the far West side in 1980, leaving the High Line's elevated tracks to grow with flourishing wildness untouched for decades. Left to her own devices, nature took over abandoned progress.
By now nearly everyone's heard the High Line is expected to open in fall 2008 as a three-story high public park. The first section – from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street – is now in its final phase of construction. Getting finishing touches are the access points from street level and the creation of the park environment.
Freight train wheels moving through the area tracked in foreign seeds, creating an appealing mix of plant life. To preserve the now native vegetation, carefully handled and catalogued wild plants and seeds where removed to rehabilitate the foundation and will soon be replanted.
Now nearly everyone's looking forward to our unique urban park. It will offer a reprieve from the city's hard surfaces of tall buildings and rushing vehicles, a respite to sit among wild brush yielding gently to the wind and take in the uncluttered sky.
:RIDE ON RAILS:
The MTA picked developer Tishman Speyer to help create a plan for the West Side Rail Yards, the upper section of the High Line. All involved, including the Governor and Mayor, have commitment to preserving the majority of the historic High Line structure.
Friends of the High Line (FHL) is advocating to fully preserve this 26-acre site. FHL is also working to preserve a pedestrian walkway on the 33rd/34th block north of the rail yards. For even more access to the park, the High Line could extend to connect with the Javits Center and the planned #7 subway extension.