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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:33:20 GMT -6
The High LineWARNING: this isn't as naughty as The World Bike Tour and I lack the photographic skill of Jake, Gary or my pal Simon, but nevertheless, I've chosen to post *my* humble weekend adventure. Sunday, I made my first visit to The High Line. And no, The High Line isn't a NYC subway that permits marijuana smoking (sorry, DT). The High Line is a brand new Manhattan park that just opened this past week. What's the big deal about a park? Well, for one thing, it's built on freight train tracks that are elevated 30 feet above Manhattan streets. For another thing, it winds under and in some cases *through* buildings in the area. Many years ago, freight trains ran right through Manhattan -- hard to believe now, but true. That stopped a long time ago and the tracks were virtually abandoned. Quickly falling into disuse, they became yet another New York City eyesore. A few years back, community organizers got together and decided to renovate to build a stretch of park there. The first section of the park just opened Monday; since we've had a stretch of rainy weather for a solid week, Sunday was the first nice day -- let alone the first Sunday -- that the park was open, so you could imagine the big crowd. I stood on a long line that snaked around the block; fortunately, it moved quickly. They regulated the crowds on the limited stretch by having volunteers holding clickers to count the people entering and leaving the area; periodically, the next group of people were kept from entering until enough visitors had left, so as not to overcrowd the limited space. The experience I'm documenting here is of a nascent attempt at the next generation of NYC; it is the first half mile of the park -- the second stage will open next year. Currently, there's really not too much to see or do -- there aren't any concession stands, but the long - term plan is that there will eventually be plenty -- an outdoor movie screen, an area for live entertainment and places to eat and drink (even if you desire an adult beverage or two). Will The High Line turn out to be one of New York City's next great attractions or will it turn out to be one of its next great follies? Ask me in two years -- we should know by then ...
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:34:56 GMT -6
 This is a hotel that straddles The High Line; it was built with the intention of being constructed around the park, so that's why there are sides to the structure that appear to be like legs standing the building up -- "the hotel is giving the park a lap dance", as one wag described. A closer view ...  |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:36:04 GMT -6
Some of the flowers and other growth planted amidst the old train tracks to remember the old High Line and salute the new ....   |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:37:28 GMT -6
Pier 54, Hudson River Park, looking out on The West Side Highway, Hudson River (of course!) and the pure bliss that I like to call New Jersey.  |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:41:18 GMT -6
The High Line is in a section of Manhattan unofficially called The Meat Packing District. Now, before Tex jumps to the conclusion that this is some kind of euphemism for the gay area of town, I must explain ... The Meat Packing District got its name because it was literally just that -- a small area on the far west side of Manhattan in which was located many warehouses that packed, well, meat. Many of the buyers and executive chefs from the best restaurants the city had to offer would come here to buy their various cuts of meat -- a side of beef for the weekend, for example. The historic Meat Packing district, however, is now no longer. This place in the photo was actually the last meat packer to close, which just occurred a few weeks ago. Sadly, one era of New York must end for a new one to begin. And a bit of the city's history goes with it. During the summer of years past, this was a difficult place to navigate through -- the smell of meat in the hot, often not-quickly-enough-refrigerated warehouses was enough to knock you on your ass. And years ago, before the neighborhood became upscale, an area through which you wouldn't want to venture at night -- between the general crime, drugs and prostitutes (many of whom knife-weilding transvestites who'd gladly slice you up if you declined their offer to be a customer -- or at least, so I've heard).  |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:44:53 GMT -6
 Looking east along 14th street on a lazy Sunday afternoon. As I alluded to, the neighborhood has changed drastically from its tough reputation of a few years ago. Now, it has luxury condos, high end hotels, office buildings, expensive shops and trendy restaurants that are difficult (if not impossible) to access on the weekends. But that's a story for another thread ... To give you an idea how the area has changed, one of the shops on the left side of this photo is the clothing shop of Stella McCartney -- yep, that would be Sir Paul's little girl. On the same block, on the corner, is a three - floor Apple store where folks can buy, try, ask questions or get tech support on any and all Apple products -- a far cry from the company who, in the mid to late '90's was predicted to be extinct by the 21st century. The moral to that story: re - inventing oneself *can* work! (Hey, at least it did for ME ... ) |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:45:34 GMT -6
Looking north (uptown) along 10th avenue, near the bleachers ...  |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:46:39 GMT -6
 These are the bleachers, located behind huge glass walls on the trestles ... one of many places where you can sit and rest or take in the sun ...  Another view looking up 10th Avenue from the bleachers ... |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:47:59 GMT -6
Looking south (downtown) along the first stretch of The High Line; a parking lot just off 10th Avenue on the left side, 30 feet below ...  |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Jun 15, 2009 21:50:29 GMT -6
After an early afternoon brunch and a walk along The High Line, I strolled a few blocks even further west, to my gym, The Sports Center on The Chelsea Piers. After exercising and taking in a couple of hours of late afternoon sun on their sun deck, I showered and changed, then walked toward the subway to head home. Realizing the sun was about to set, I decided on one final shot of The High Line from the street perspective ...  |
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Post by DT on Jun 15, 2009 22:34:23 GMT -6
Very interesting trip report, with great thumbs up PICS.
In NWI, seven Cities/Towns turned the old Erie/Lackawana (Chicago route) into thirty miles of bicycle/skate/walk path. They did a very nice job.
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Post by Irish Stu on Jun 16, 2009 4:39:10 GMT -6
Fascinating, a park planned to co-exist with the urban landscape rather than just fill a space in it.
Please keep us posted as this develops Beeb, and hopefully I'll get a chance to see it for myself before too long.
Simon
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Post by innit Geezer on Jun 16, 2009 19:45:43 GMT -6
Great pictures BB. I appreciate the compliment on my pictures but yours show the park well.
I didn't hear about this adaptive use project until you posted it. Anytime a municipality saves an old structure for new use I'm thrilled. I'm looking forward to going and I'm glad they planned on a long expansion.
Lets go sometime.
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Post by Tex on Jun 16, 2009 20:33:44 GMT -6
The High Line is in a section of Manhattan unofficially called The Meat Packing District. Now, before Tex jumps to the conclusion that this is some kind of euphemism for the gay area of town, I must explain ... The Meat Packing District got its name because it was literally just that -- a small area on the far west side of Manhattan in which was located many warehouses that packed, well, meat. Many of the buyers and executive chefs from the best restaurants the city had to offer would come here to buy their various cuts of meat -- a side of beef for the weekend, for example. The historic Meat Packing district, however, is now no longer. This place in the photo was actually the last meat packer to close, which just occurred a few weeks ago. Sadly, one era of New York must end for a new one to begin. And a bit of the city's history goes with it. During the summer of years past, this was a difficult place to navigate through -- the smell of meat in the hot, often not-quickly-enough-refrigerated warehouses was enough to knock you on your ass. And years ago, before the neighborhood became upscale, an area through which you wouldn't want to venture at night -- between the general crime, drugs and prostitutes (many of whom knife-weilding transvestites who'd gladly slice you up if you declined their offer to be a customer -- or at least, so I've heard). We have friends on Horatio Street and have had dinner at their place. Nice area. Like the pictures Beeb - the park was an innovative use of the old right of way. |
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Post by innit Geezer on Jun 17, 2009 4:31:17 GMT -6
Many years ago if you were traveling through the meat packing district at night, it gave a scary ambiance.
The area is dimly lit and desolate but the West Side Drive is a main route for traveling up and downtown so sometimes you didn't have a choice. The Fudge Packing District on the other hand felt completely safe and cheery. (that felt like a long way to go for a joke)
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Post by Ardbeg... innit on Jun 17, 2009 5:07:19 GMT -6
Heard about this project on NPR late last week, but these are the first pictures Ive seen. Great reuse of an existing resource to create something that would otherwise not happen. Thanks for the photos!
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Aug 27, 2009 22:13:56 GMT -6
OK, so I thought that maybe I'd bump this thread as some local news stories have developed recently ... For you fans of nudity and live sex shows, The Standard Hotel which straddles The High Line now offers some free entertainment ... The Peep Show may be found here . |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Apr 4, 2010 21:24:26 GMT -6
Easter 2010 was an unusually warm day in NYC -- sunny and temps in the mid-70's. After brunch, I decided to visit The High Line before heading to my gym. Today, there was a Jazz quartet playing on the fire escape of a nearby apartment building ...
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Post by innit Geezer on Apr 6, 2010 19:51:01 GMT -6
I'm looking forward to seeing the High Line Park but I have know idea how the hotel will ultimately deal with the open curtains and subsequent shows from the rooms. This is part of high rise apartment living anyway, although I imagine you could be subject to arrest for exposure.
I've seen plenty of topless women just walking through common hallways that have lots of windows and good views of other buildings.
My guess is they know it but don't care.
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Post by Tex on Apr 8, 2010 7:34:09 GMT -6
Our place in Austin is on the side of a steep hill. There are often nude people out on decks or balconies and no one gives a shit. Even if someone cared in a Manhattan highrise, it would take a while to even figure out what apartment unit they were in. The cops have to have better things to do.
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