The High Line NYC

[foxy]

This is not about getting stoned although it's a "heady" experience.

 

It was a beautiful day in NYC today and I finally got to experience the new park in the city that was created out of an old elevated train line. I'd highly (pun intended) recommend it to all who want to see New York from a new perspective.

 

They did a great job. I especially liked the plantings which looked very natural, like they just blew in rather than formal flower gardens. Walking under the Standard Hotel I looked to see if there were any sexy things happening in the windows but nothing was going on. Next time I'll bring binoculars. See Cooper's post about that. There were lots of cute guys out for a walk in the sunshine however.

 

http://www.thehighline.org

[JT Brooklyn]

I walked it the day it opened. Very nicely Designed so far! ! But even attempting to Tax those who live in the Area? That will never fly!

 

Next they will look to Tax people by the amount of Rats they have in their Backyards!

[Kevin Slater]

The High Line is indeed wonderful. And it's just begun; plans are to extend it another 14 blocks north. My long walks usually involve my neighbor's dog but he is prohibited on the High Line (probably a good call). That being said, last time I was there I passed maybe two or three of our four-legged friends, so maybe next time I'll try and smuggle my pooch up and just see how it goes.

 

For those who don't know what we're talking about: http://www.thehighline.org/ .

 

Kevin Slater

[Guest jaighbos]

I totally agree! And I admit when I first heard that they wanted to make a park out of an abandoned elevated rail line I thought they were insane and should just tear it down. I gladly admit I was dead wrong! Even though it's barely two stories abouve ground it offers such a different perspective of the neighborhood, and their landscape design does of beautiful job of incorporating the old rail lines with really interesting greenery and sculptured benches. I'm sure this design will be a major contender for awards and recognition.

[MsGuy]

Thanks for the thread, foxy. Judging by the pictures, the HighLine is a jewel of a park. I read an article about this park back when construction had just started and remember wondering how it would turn out.

Two questions:

> How did something this wonderful make it through the City bureaucracy?

> Does anyone have a general idea of the cost of the park?

[+ Charlie]

I miss the old days when the abandoned hi-line had trucks parked under it, where one could have public sex at night. Not that I ever did anything like that, of course....

[JT Brooklyn]

The High Line is indeed wonderful. And it's just begun; plans are to extend it another 14 blocks north. My long walks usually involve my neighbor's dog but he is prohibited on the High Line (probably a good call). That being said, last time I was there I passed maybe two or three of our four-legged friends, so maybe next time I'll try and smuggle my pooch up and just see how it goes.

 

For those who don't know what we're talking about: http://www.thehighline.org/ .

 

Kevin Slater

 

Well I'm thinking there's a certain amount of people who feel the cost of Manhattan Living is So High, that NOT PICKING UP after their "Beloved Pets" is included in the Price!

 

Keeping the DOGS off the High Line is a good idea!

[+ LIguy]

I miss the old days when the abandoned hi-line had trucks parked under it, where one could have public sex at night. Not that I ever did anything like that, of course....

 

And the old abandoned warehouses along the river across from Christopher St.They were so dangerous yet so exciting exploring all the offices inside them and seeing live porn everywhere you went.Not that i ever did anything like that,of course......just..um...stories I heard......

[JT Brooklyn]

Yup! The corner of Christopher & West Streets was definitely interesting MANY Years ago!

 

Now the only thing happening is dodging Baby Stroller's & Hetero's Jogging!

 

BUT Life is Change!

[raulgmanzo]

It was great to see the High line when I was in NYC earlier this summer. Beautiful views, great design (though I might also have likes something a bit more raw).

 

It was exciting to see the Highline, it's something I've watched for a long time as here in Chicago we have been working on an elevated park known as the Bloomingdale trail http://bloomingdaletrail.org/ And yet when our Bloomingdale line becomes a park I will miss some of the adventures I've had up there, including many fun elevated urban mountain bike rides and on occasion rides of a different kind.

 

Still they are not quite the same, the highline is more urban, steel and trestle whereas the Bloomingdale trail is more concrete and embankment, further from downtown and in the neighborhoods. There are dense growths of vegetation, homeless camps, and freight trains as recently as the 90s, though it seems the railroad at least quite recently uses the western end for storing various train cars at times.

 

Many years ago, not long after moving to Chicago I remember following a train creep along the Bloomingdale line then make it's way downtown where it traveled underneath the merchandise mart, along some lower level streets where tow trucks were at the ready to tow any car too close for the engineers comfort, under more buildings, past a lower level access road to an underground boat yard, with the surreal scene of boats waiting for the train to pass all underground. Then under the IBM center and old Suntimes (now 90 floor Trump tower), across lower Michigan avenue and to the Tribune.

 

Photos below are from the http://bloomingdaletrail.org

http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/media/img/viaduct.jpg

http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/media/img/photos/bt_today/chicken-xing-viaduct.jpg

http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/media/img/photos/bt_today/blue-line-from-trail.jpg

http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/media/img/photos/bt_today/el-tracks-from-trail.jpg

[+ purplekow]

There used to be a show on TV, I believe it was on A&E and it focused on the life underground in major cities of the world. Subways, sewers, hidden passages etc. Can't recall the name but the few episodes I saw from which I saw some segments, were very interesting. A world few even know exists.

[JoeyBryant]

http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/media/img/viaduct.jpg

 

Although looks somewhat low to the ground...thats beautiful, Im going to have to hop on that when Im in NYC coming up.

 

Does the NYC train have any similarity to the Miami metrorail?

 

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7193/tour03metrorail070cj.jpg

[Luv2play]

I miss the old days when the abandoned hi-line had trucks parked under it, where one could have public sex at night. Not that I ever did anything like that, of course....

 

When I was coming of age and had not yet visited NYC, I read a book called New York Unexpurgated which was essentially a guide book to all that was interesting and raunchy about New York City of the 1960's.

 

In the gay sex part, they described how truckers would tie a hankie around their outside mirrors to indicate they were available for a blowjob (receiving, I assumed).

 

I wonder if any of our old time New Yorkers ever saw this phenomenom? By the time I was openly gay and visiting New York in the 1980's, there were still piers at the foot of Christopher Street but I never went there at night. There was a lot of cruising during the day though.

[jackcali]

Yes, Joey (I'll have to get used to not calling you Rian), there are plenty of above-ground subways in NYC. None of them are in Manhattan, except way uptown, but if you ride up into the Bronx or out to Queens or Brooklyn, there are some. I used to work at a bank that had Mets tickets for client entertainment, and I would frequently take the number 7 line out to Shea Stadium. That line is above ground except for the first one or two stops in Queens (and of course the Manhattan stops).

 

Shea was an awful stadium for baseball, but the new Citi Field is a terrific place to see a game, so if you're visiting New York next season (or during the US Open, since the tennis stadium is right nearby), take in a game (or a match) and enjoy the ride.

[Luv2play]

While there are no longer any above ground subways in Manhattan, the High Liner park is a vestige of one one the west side. Wasn't there also one on the east side around 3rd Avenue that was torn down decades ago? Or am I just imagining that?

[+ purplekow]

Believe there was a 3rd Avenue El or elevated train but I think it goes back to pre-world war 2 times

[Luv2play]

I just googled it and there were four elevated lines in Manhattan before the war. They were on 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 9th Avenues. Most were torn down in 1940. Is the High Line the old 9th Avenue line?

[+ purplekow]

eFootage - Stock Footage - NYC TRAIN PASSENGER POV & CONDUCTOR - 1950S

 

 

and this gives the date of the last ride of the Third Avenue E The Bowery Boys: New York City History: Eliminating the Third Avenue Elevated i worked in Jamaica Queens under the Jamacia El and at a place in the Bronx near the El in Westchester Square. They were noisy, blotted out the sky and you could never be sure someone wasn't going to piss on your head. Glad they are gone.

[+ g56whiz]

Is the High Line the old 9th Avenue line?

 

The old 9th (or Columbus) Avenue line ended in a loop in the financial center (I believe Hanover Square). I think what is the Highline was a railroad spur off the West Side yards just south of the Javits Center, and it was built to provide rail service to the manufacturers in the West Village that would not be interrupted by street traffic. I know that the current Chelsea Market building was a factory of some sort and the building across 10th Avenue from it was the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) factory and at that point the Highline runs up the avenue between them.

 

I heard a figure of maybe $20+ million for the highline much of which was given by a single donor who got up at a fund raising dinner and made that pledge much to the surprise of the group seeking the funds (and perhaps that of her husband who was also present). It's a nice story in any event.

[uwsman2]

High Line

 

Yes, the High Line was NOT part of the subway system, it was part of the railroad and carried produce and other goods down from midtown to the West Village, into the meatpacking and warehouse district. It is worth a stroll in good weather. And there is a hotel that bestrides it that is reputed to be a wild and woolly place where exhibitionists cavort in the windows, to the delight of the High Line patrons....

[Luv2play]

The High Line is on my "to do" list for my next visit to NYC, along with all the guys I want to see!

[+ glutes]

Saw this in person last week, pictures simply do not do it justice!

Walk all of it, and more coming. Good job NYC!