I recently had the chance to visit New York City with my British girlfriends (a perfect place for us to meet up!). We packed in so many interesting things while we were there, but one of my favorites was visiting The High Line.

Why? It’s one of the most unique parks in the city. 

As a “repurposed piece of industrial infrastructure,” The High Line lives above street level on what used to be a busy elevated railway line. The brilliantly designed pathways (nearly 1.5 miles long) offer public spaces for community, art installations, activities, wellness, and more  - all tucked in among the skyscrapers like a living artery. Loved by locals and visitors alike, it's a surprising retreat from the city streets below.

Photo by Mike Tschappat / www.thehighline.org

Photo by Ashley and Aron Bruhn  / www.thehighline.org

The path of the park, highlighted in green.

Past & Present

Originally a busy railway, the elevated line transported meat, dairy, and supplies to lower Manhattan starting in the 1930's. By the 1980's the railway had closed due to the rise in trucking, and the structure sat empty and unused for the next 20-some years. As you can imagine, it became a pretty wild, overgrown space.

Past: Photo by Kalmbach Publishing Company / www.highline.org

As the years passed, there was plenty of discussion and debate among city officials and the community around what to do with the abandoned railway - including the option of demolition. But eventually in the early 2000's an international ideas competition and a non-profit conservatory called 'Friends of the High Line' (founded by two community members) propelled the space forward to what it is today. You can read more about that evolution process on the High Line website here: History and Design Competition

Ultimately, a concept and design team were chosen to reinvent the space as a public park. That team included Piet Oudolph, one of the most admired landscape designers in the world. A Dutch native, Oudolph is known for his naturalistic plantings using perennials and grasses. Learn more about his gorgeous work here: Wild By Design - Spotlight on Piet Oudolph

Today, the High Line is owned by the City of New York - but maintained and programmed by Friends of the High Line. A project and park of this scale is the work of a huge team of people and organizations. Impressive what an inspired group of community members can build together! 

Present: Sundeck with water feature (and wetland plants) / Source: www.highline.org

A Brilliant Example of Sustainable Regeneration

As the plant- and environment-lover that I am, I was both grateful and delighted to see all the native perennial pollinators throughout the park. And that was the exact intention of the design: to re-envision the existing railway structure as a “sustainable, resilient, pollinator-friendly landscape.” Native plantings are typically drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, meaning less resources (particularly water) are needed to keep the gardens thriving. And they're gorgeous in all seasons.

Learn More:
The High Line Plant List | Sustainable Practices

Native pollinators! Photos from www.thehighline.org

Along with sustainability, regeneration is one of my favorite topics. And this park is a perfect example of using creativity and community to transform a derelict space into a vibrant, living space - where nature and humans can thrive together in thoughtful and healthy ways. 

It can seem daunting to start our own regenerative projects, no matter how small. One person’s effort - even one community's effort - doesn’t solve our global environmental problems. But as more and more of us get involved, collectively we can shift the balance back to a more harmonious existence in nature. 

“... what if each American landowner converted half of their yard to productive native plant communities? Even moderate success could collectively restore some semblance of ecosystem function to more than 20 million acres of what is now ecological wasteland.” - Doug Tallamy

Curious to get started in your own backyard - or patio, balcony, or windowsill? Here are a couple of my favorite resources:

 Benjamin Vogt  |  Rodale Institute

The High Line: Visitor Details

• The park is accessible by stairs, ramps, and elevators
• Food + drink vendors are there daily
• Docent-guided tours are offered on certain days
• Bicycles, dogs (except service), smoking, and alcohol are not permitted
• Check out the Visitor Info page for details + upcoming events

Next time you visit NYC, I hope you add this incredible space to your itinerary!

Photo by Iwan Baan / www.thehighline.org

Grateful for these amazing humans!

Cheers to good health, good friends, and exploring together xo

*****
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