The High Line sat abandoned all these years. Wild growth took over and grew between the tracks. James Corner and Renfro designed the park’s landscape to look wild as it did–self-seeded–when the trains stopped running.

>>>>Link to map and info

Only in New York–the former rail system was made into an above ground park. The wild greenery and flowers have been coaxed back and line the walks. The tracks are still visible, benches and chaises abound, an amphitheater was embedded and the view is great. Note the juxtapositions of all the ages of NYC architecture.

We waited on line for a wrist band, got on another line to ascend and there we were, overlooking the Hudson River to the west, and the streets of Manhattan to the east. (across the Hudson is New Jersey). The entry on Gansevoort Street is at the meat packing district, a once tough area that made way to chi-chi designer shops and night clubs and restaurants for the elite. (Remember Sex and the City? This is the downtown area Samantha moved to.) I grew up on East 14th Street, (near the East River) West 14th is shown in the top left lead photo and is near the Hudson River. Remember, Manhattan is an island.

One can descend at the Chelsea Market (a great place for food–the Food Network tapes their shows upstairs). That’s where we went for a break and for some gourmet food shopping.

The High Line will eventually meet the Jacob Javits Center at 34th Street. (I was there 5/24/15)

Back in the High Life Again  

Steve Winwood

It used to seem to me
That my life ran on too fast
And I had to take it slowly
Just to make the good parts last
But when you’re born to run
It’s so hard to just slow down
So don’t be surprised to see me
Back in that bright part of town.

I’ll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time will open up again
I’ll be back in the high life again
All the eyes that watched me once will smile and take me in.

And I’ll drink and dance with one hand free
Let the world back into me
And on Ill be a sight to see
Back in the high life again.

You used to be the best
To make life be life to me
And I hope that you’re still out there
And you’re like you used to be
Well have ourselves a time
And well dance til the morning sun
And well let the good times come in
And we wont stop ’til were done.

We’ll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time will open up again
We’ll be back in the high life again
All the eyes that watched us once will smile and take us in
And we’ll drink and dance with one hand free
And have the world so easily
And oh well be a sight to see
Back in the high life again.

We’ll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time will open up again
We’ll be back in the high life again
All the eyes that watched us once will smile and take us in
And we’ll drink and dance with one hand free
And have the world so easily
And oh we’ll be a sight to see
Back in the high life again.

reply greenwytch wrote on Jun 15, ’09 WOW, what a wonderful, colorful, busy and urban place! i have never had the NYC experience; i am only familiar with a wee tiny corner of brooklyn heights and some of long island. thanks for sharing the big apple, through your eyes. ; D

reply greenwytch wrote on Jun 15, ’09 OH, P.S.! i am a bit familiar with East Syracuse, too. ; D

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 15, ’09, edited on Jun 15, ’09 >>>Oh, by the way—the Hudson River is where the plane piloted by Capt. Sulley, came down in an emergency landing after the bird strike. It was further north.

reply greenwytch wrote on Jun 15, ’09 that story of the miracle on the hudson still contines to blow me away. there is NO coincidence in anything that happened that day!

reply sugarpiehuny wrote on Jun 15, ’09 Great photo story.. loved the NY visit.. I must make it that way soon..;)

reply hi2yisrael wrote on Jun 15, ’09 Oh ya, that’s lovely! 🙂

reply sousonne wrote on Jun 15, ’09 This is great!

reply jadedruid wrote on Jun 15, ’09 Thank you for this post. This looks awesome. I loved the pictures to go with it. This sounds lovely.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Jun 15, ’09 This is so fascinating ! I watched the video and checked the location on the map. Would love to visit sometime. Maybe this summer. We’re always looking for day trips. I never heard of this place. Thanks for posting this. The photos are so wonderful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

reply caffeinatedjo wrote on Jun 15, ’09 Now that is too cool! Love the flowers in the urban setting. And I love Steve Winwood. What a treat this page was!!!

reply instrumentalpavilion wrote on Jun 15, ’09 I used to watch trains rumble over this when I was a kid! Have to have a look see next time I’m in NYC. Thanks for the pictures! : ) Fred

reply rooanns wrote on Jun 15, ’09 That looks totally awesome. I’m going have to take a look the next time I get to NYC! Thanks for posting this!

reply forgetmenot525 wrote on Jun 16, ’09 great idea, i would far rather see something used and reused than demolished ….it makes so much more sense and what you end up with here is …..wonderful

reply gilesy01 wrote on Jun 17, ’09 Nice collection of photos.

reply bostonsdandd wrote on Jun 17, ’09 Sans you have fulfilled my dream of seeing NYC :o). Though I will get there before I die to experience it first hand, I feel like I was there the day you took these pictures. I can still feel the sweat on my face ;o) LOL.

reply sugarpiehuny wrote on Jun 17, ’09 I made it back.. Loved the poem too. Thanks 🙂

reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Jun 17, ’09 I’ve been perusing this link for several days now and find it fascinating. Taking something old, having a vision and refocusing it’s use for all to enjoy…I just love this concept. How perfect is Steve Winwood with this entry?? From all I have read so far,it seems this is just the first part of High Line rennovation? Thank you for sharing this “feel good” project. It’s so uplifting to these type of community visions come to fruition. Marvelous!!!

reply ruraldiva wrote on Jun 17, ’09 Thanks for the tour. Almost could smell the place. Such an interesting visual. Smiles

reply fluffyj wrote on Jun 17, ’09 Wow, you went all over. Looks like a fun trip through a new zone in NYC. I love how the slices of old and new intersect each other. Like an evolving puzzle throughout the scenes you’ve shared. Love the snippets of flowers too. I have a terrible time remembering places, but put some flowers near them and I’ll never forget the name of the place! -jd

reply billatplay wrote on Jun 19, ’09 What??? I don’t believe it. No steaming sewers? lol A marvellous tour better than that I saw from Central Park after dark. My hotel overlooked it so I dived in to see the skyline. When I returned the receptionist had a fit. lol

reply tulipsinspring wrote on Jun 24, ’09 NYC is a magical place. It has been too long since I’ve been there. The irony is I could hop on the train and be there in something like seven hours. I am thinking more and more I may have to do it this summer. The train is cheap and I have friends there — and if you keep posting cool blogs like this I will have no choice. 🙂 Great post, sorry I didn’t see it at first but thanks for the pointer. You were right, I love it, and the song is so perfect with this!

reply psychesrealm wrote on Jun 28, ’09 So amazing…Reminds me of the saying….”One mans trash is another mans treasure”…I just love it when someone takes something thats been discarded….and creates a jewel…..such as this…..NYC is such a fascinating place……Great Post, Rita~

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Jun 28, ’09 psychesrealm said So amazing…Reminds me of the saying….”One mans trash is another mans treasure”…I just love it when someone takes something thats been discarded….and creates a jewel…..such as this…..NYC is such a fascinating place…… Great Post, Rita~ Thanks, Rita!! Glad you could make it! Now you need a corned beef sandwich at Katz’s–off to the next post!

reply paintedtorrent wrote on Jul 28, ’09 Fantastic concept, this is why NYC is one of the truly cosmopolitan world cities, on a European scale!