A few weeks ago, two friends and I took MetroNorth from Wassaic, New York, (about 1 hour from my house) into New York City. Our destination was the
High Line, an elevated freight rail line that has been repurposed into a wonderful one-mile-long thoughtfully designed and landscaped park with an additional half-mile still under construction. Artwork, viewpoints and public spaces enhance the park.
It is incredibly popular both day and evening and is open year round. In fact, a local told me that it can be almost gridlock trying to walk it on nice-weather weekends. The neighborhood, Chelsea and the Meat Packing District, is experiencing a building boom and transformation because of this park. I'd like to return in the spring and summer for the blooming plants, many of which are native species.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8agf-FMAC6R0P2f519-huyQEAHvZDJsTXQSlFzkaziyzBJhjJycMhVWovsciw1g-2cJektA2iOMwpMT-VuRRKYS_1XWwnzi1trNnvAUW-diAI5FN_c9U3vkGBAzaXIBtAl3viJP58uw/s400/Highline1.jpg) |
We walked a mile in the heart of NYC without stopping for one single car! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwoeWsqIBRxnHRfcidOkHYOjcUOzhHL0aQ2zxgHJg-kajdx-fWH3c9E1groBxqJFkWAdL6yUnKGNrz4uRnFio33qYGBA1uDebSNqw6hU2kyaXMt57WK28g00P4urLnlkGPvRUNUONxss/s400/Highline2.jpg) |
We pondered the art along the way. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2gEjHiuN_nGlPOUguKvP2eAKr6UanXycQ1wQMzl3g4SiMcbq_A5uyRjN62nZY1_z8TFovOlJCjgHhCZOTXN5GSOb8fhZK1V-_jXESi0hQRf2FyirLMal1_huG8rfCj6dmW8KieKtG4M/s400/Highline3.jpg) |
Native plantings, including trees, flowers and grasses, made a relaxing setting. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9lX0PjJXn0IXlU-Rf6hfa2meDOtPhljQ2PlyXMAgBkZLjl3PX2A_Rv9QDOIZWxTI5riA59Ek757urqJPYZQ_a97XvNWT1tdGIPEZB1pTZG5uBn8-9_2qPII_f8-jUYqv5dQSCQ47NP8/s640/Highline4.jpg) |
Only a few late-season flowers remained. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUhvJXyE5861tXQ8MMjNlZ7nTcxuubYX1E19FoInYj1rmhf3365yCFEQF_0XZ5mIk24KhlH0NhO01VywhrrPtj80H_IdJ3GlJGuClK3lZ84vlR_9Zor25isXxnrHPowjDyEsS7yZzyNo/s400/Highline5.jpg) |
More artwork along the way. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwiljokZVRBMA5Ohvl_9HJEyVa3jpPPuvzGMnEO7lo9LdHmJjZDtM7PPX09XibLpl9cRNYtCa-VxvijFFcU27N1e6nW25bZKRWwyCmHSeiGQEuPpi_Htz0xUEzzxQ3fUvUeDcsLcNJ8E/s400/Highline6.jpg) |
Elevators provide access for families with carriages and those with disabilities. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEswMkCQItrk31LdXWk2cpLzotWAwL74WINCQlJS6edDv1O0w9MpJEUfuugyi68loDP81A7TtYLTNWdIaC-091-E42ucDA5NZGGFPqqsMcpKnjV2rHHqJCcL0OAOYRsCcRu3mdQqlMO4/s400/Highline7.jpg) |
Here, you are looking at the Statue of Liberty way out in the harbor. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWFoWNh4CaVsOEFPC2BWzJG8mKH027Zx4CLxeKgxHdy-WfuDGXW0_rlSwEmPxT61gqREL6AKAiEMsUvUcSGxwQgztjHGDinnOsDC1SpgIwF2tWCdUxlciBbV24tfxu7-_QIGqQcNRSJ4/s400/Highline8.jpg) |
Here are bleacher-like steps and a glassed in view of 10th Avenue. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ6iTZ5DzIav9UWWz4SMlSD9jVI5es6DdAfH59Cq4kw4S96EWCGZNvwyQcQBa1dZydVOTfdknPE2Ovl-_xHVZEIKOBY5W1j-hKcfPXk5UqjhhbAAZA8dZhDCTp1z72pTWoslBEAADsI4/s640/Highline9.jpg) |
The elevated views were incredible! |