New High Line park opens in New York City

June 10, 1:12 AMNY Travel ExaminerKelley Vick

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Photo by James Lloyd

Occasional rain and storms didn’t dampen the spirits of New York City residents who turned out in mass to explore section one of the long awaited High Line park in Chelsea, which finally opened to the public today. Built atop a 1930’s elevated freight rail line, which has been virtually abandoned for nearly 30 years, the High Line offers New Yorkers (and visitors) a refreshing and beautifully landscaped outdoor space ideal for strolling, picnicking or just chilling out on a sunny afternoon.

The design and plantings on the High Line are based on the naturally occurring plant life that sprung up when trains stopped running, but the effect is a city oasis. In addition to bountiful greens and flowers, the High Line is home to meandering pathways, creative seating (including a section of bleacher-style seating suspended over Tenth Avenue), lighting fixtures and water fountains.

Photo by James Lloyd

Foot traffic on the High Line flows from south to north. Currently, the only open entrance is at the Gansevoort Street access point, at the corner of Gansevoort and Washington. Visitors can exit the park at any of the northern access points, located at 14th, 16th, 18th, and 20th Streets.

Work on the High Line is ongoing, with section two (spanning from 21st street to 30th street) scheduled to open next year. Eventually, the park will be a mile-and-a-half long, passing through the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea, and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. Due to the continued construction and anticipated high volume of visitors, visitor access may be limited throughout the month of June. Summer opening hours are from 7a.m. to 10 p.m.

Photo by Kelley Vick

 The High Line park is owned by the City of New York and operated under jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Friends of the High Line, a non-profit private partner to the Department of Parks and Recreation, is responsible for maintenance of the park and provides more than 70 percent of the annual operating budget. For more information, or if you’d like to get involved, check out thehighline.org or call the information line at 212-500-6035.