The High Line, located on the lower west side of New York in the Meatpacking district, is the latest way Manhattan shows itself to be an innovative player on the green scene. The park is created from ‘found’ material—abandoned elevated train tracks.
The original Art Deco structure was built in the 1930s as a way for dangerous freight trains to circumnavigate the metropolis. Green aspects of the High Line include a focus on the planting of native species of grasses, trees, shrubs and perennials. Inspired by the self-seeded landscape that grew on the out-of-use elevated rail tracks during the 25 years after the trains stopped running, many of the species that originally were on the High Line’s rail bed are incorporated into the park landscape. At night, the park’s pathways are illuminated by energy-efficient LED lights.
The greenway currently runs through Chelsea but is expected to travel into Hell’s Kitchen when complete. Check out my video of the High Line and see for yourself.—Michelle Zaffino
p.s. No more peepshows in the park. We hear that guests at the Standard, that hotel with impossibly large windows located atop the High Line, now have to sign waivers at check-in that they’ll close the room blinds and promise to keep their exhibitionist tendencies in check.
Tags: Art Deco, Chelsea, eco, Eco to the People, eco-friendly, found materials, green, green parks, Hell's Kitchen, Michelle Zaffino, native flowers, native grasses, native plants, native trees, New York City, New York High Line, recycled materials, recycled metal, Standard hotel, The High Line
Then I am never staying at the Standard again.