Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The High Line


Do yourself a favor and walk the High Line. It's an oasis of greenery built atop retired tracks sandwiched between the Hudson and the West Village and Chelsea. 

It's a great example in city planning of the Field of Dreams effect. "If you build it, they will come." The greenery added value to the surrounding buildings, which attracted investors who turned to unique design to distinguish from the comparatively blank brick and steel facades that used to line the walkway. The resultant feedback loop turned a former railway into a mile (and someday, hopefully miles) long meditation on the intersection between man and nature. 

Like anything New York City that's free and good, it will be mobbed just at the time you would most want to enjoy it. Elevators and walkways will be under construction at inconvenient times. 

This is the first place on the island of Manhattan where I was able to smell fresh cut grass. I live next to Central Park! How did I manage that? 


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