Industrial Manhattan died and went to heaven. You can visit by climbing the stairs up to Highline Park.
New York City built the park between 12th Street and 20th Street on a 1930s elevated freight rail track. Surrounded by the ruins of old terminal buildings and views of the Hudson River, walkers stroll along paths of wildflowers. Young women sun themselves in bikinis on teak longers. Walk under the hulks of old buildings and you're instantly cool.
When I lived in Los Angeles, I used to dream of a time when trees and vines would break through the cement and asphalt of the freeway overpasses and reclaim the land. Highline's designers evidently had a similar vision, and they've executed it brilliantly.
You can refresh yourself along the walk by buying fresh fruit libations from a stand run by Caribbeans. I bought a coconut water drained on the spot from the shell, took a seat on a little chair in the breeze and worked on my novel. Another stand in the shade sells coffee and croissants. On the streets below are all the enticing restaurants of the Meatpacking District, not to mention the fantastic food bazaar at the Chelsea Market.
New York City built the park between 12th Street and 20th Street on a 1930s elevated freight rail track. Surrounded by the ruins of old terminal buildings and views of the Hudson River, walkers stroll along paths of wildflowers. Young women sun themselves in bikinis on teak longers. Walk under the hulks of old buildings and you're instantly cool.
When I lived in Los Angeles, I used to dream of a time when trees and vines would break through the cement and asphalt of the freeway overpasses and reclaim the land. Highline's designers evidently had a similar vision, and they've executed it brilliantly.
You can refresh yourself along the walk by buying fresh fruit libations from a stand run by Caribbeans. I bought a coconut water drained on the spot from the shell, took a seat on a little chair in the breeze and worked on my novel. Another stand in the shade sells coffee and croissants. On the streets below are all the enticing restaurants of the Meatpacking District, not to mention the fantastic food bazaar at the Chelsea Market.
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2 comments:
That looks Rad!
I visited Highline Park today, Labor Day 2009. It was quite crowded but still enjoyable.
New things inevitably become old and decrepit, but it is nice to see that with some creativity they can sometimes become new and interesting again.
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