By India Gill U6
The centrepiece to the revitalised west side turns the heart of the meat packing district into one of the country’s most unique parks.
In 1840s to 1900s the railway was the primary artery for getting people and cargo into and out of the city. However, so many deaths and injuries were caused by the trains on 10th avenue; it became more commonly known as ‘Death Avenue’. ‘West side cowboys’ were employed to walk in front of the trains with red flags to warn people trains were coming, yet despite only going 6mph, the trains were still causing many deaths.
In 1929 the West Side Approval was agreed, which led to the construction of railway lines 21 feet above ground to carry cargo above the streets, safely away from pedestrians. Warehouses were rebuilt to handle freight at the 2nd and 3rd storey. This raised railway was completed in 1930, and by 1934 was coined the ‘lifeline of New York’, thanks to providing the city with precious food and trade. There were over 250 meat wholesalers in the neighbourhood. The High Line went right into the warehouses, and the meat hooks can still been seen hanging next to the High Line today.
Post world war two, the need for heavy freight diminished, and the High Line fell into disuse. In 1960 part of the High Line was demolished. The High Line had many issues such as ongoing law suits, and was not structurally sound. The last train ran in 1980, and it sat neglected until it was scheduled for demolition. In 1990, more was demolished, leaving what still stands today.
Locals Robert Hammond and Joshua David didn’t want to see it go, so formed ‘Friends of the High Line’ in 1999. When they went up onto the High Line they discovered the beautiful mile and a half long vista of wild flower meadow. Old urban infrastructure had become a paradise in the sky.
Robert and Joshua employed Joel Sternfield to take photos. CSX, the owners, gave Joel permission to photograph it for a year. Joel’s photos of the High Line in spring, showing delicate, beautiful lavenders in a revitalised industrial area allowed the public to fall in love with the High Line. The photos showcased the power of nature, and its ability to conquer this massive steel structure. An Art deco masterpiece of industrial design, massive yet elegant, defined by the geometric layers of steel and the hundreds of thousands of rivets, had been magically enhanced by the wildflowers, and beautifully framed the Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, and other scenes running parallel to the river.
Not everyone saw its potential though. It was rusty, dark, and frequently inhabited by the homeless and drug dealers. Many people wanted to tear it down. Landscape architect and urban designer James Corner saw this challenge as a great opportunity to turn around people’s perceptions.
The design subtly integrates the new with the old. The extraordinary design of the planting is based on a classic design principle; scripting a path. The various meandering paths and views dramatise the way in which you see the city. The designers wanted to keep the experience ‘slow’, making a contrast from the busy streets below, for example by making the treads of the steps up to The High Line slightly wider, with several landings to slow you down.
Ascending the steps from the street walks you under the structure of the High Line, showing off the rivets within reaching distance above. The three storeys of steps deliver you in lush woodland, planted in only 3 foot of soil.
The beauty is in its natural, wild looks, despite being far from it. The planting is meticulously thought through, thanks to Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, a garden designer renowned for his use of grasses. The High Line is highly designed and highly cared for to look natural.
Nowadays, the streets lined with boutiques, hotels and exclusive clubs, which juxtapose the few remaining neighbouring diners and meat stores.
Visit http://www.theHigh Line.org/ to find out more.