...there's nothing you can do while you're in New York. That includes converting an old elevated freight train track into a most beautiful, wild, well-designed, serene, surprising park.
I don't think of NYC, well, of Manhattan, as a concrete jungle. On the trip to NY last weekend, we spent as much time walking in green public spaces like Central Park and Madison Square Park as we did strolling the Lower East Side, SoHo, Chelsea and Koreatown.
In between checking in bars for World Cup scores, we went up on the Highline. Entering at 20th Street, we climbed the stairs and our first looksee was breathtaking. I'm not sure why, whether it was the fascination with old New York, the transformation of urban ruins to living park, or the surprise of feeling like I was floating above the fray, walking blocks and blocks without once stopping for traffic (other than the occasional double baby stroller.) I mean just below us were the night clubs of the Meatpacking district where once I partied heavily.
I made a quick video. On the day we visited, there were wandering orchestra members.
We walked downstairs to the Chelsea Market to gawk at all the deliciousness. Upstairs were the studios for the Food Network. We bought a cheddar cheese and fig jam sandwich that tasted even better than you can imagine. It was like one of those foods you bite into and exclaim OH MY GOD!! I also got a couple of handmade caramels that were to die for.
I dream now of making a bridge in my town more park-like, with a bike lane and safe walking trail with trees and native grasses on either side of the bridge, and concrete abutments covered with murals of mosaics.
I hope you enjoyed your trip to The Highline. Can't wait til the last section opens.
Loved your video of the Highline. You were there the day of the "Wandering Band Project" -
Posted by: Lucia Palmieri | 21 June 2010 at 08:00 PM
Grazie, Lucia!
Posted by: blaugra | 23 June 2010 at 04:05 PM