Webster

Strolling The High Line

Do you know that we have an “aerial greenway” right in our neighborhood?

It’s the High Line, a mile long public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets of Manhattan.  It’s amazing.

Here’s some history.  In the Mid 1880’s a railroad ran down 10th Avenue at street level.  Problem was it excelled at crashing into our citizens and horse carts.  Not a good thing.  So the elevated  High Line was built and opened in 1934.  The line connected directly to warehouses in lower Manhattan, allowing trains to unload milk, meat and manufactured goods right inside buildings.  How cool!  In the 1950’s interstate trucking took over.  In 1980, carrying three carloads of frozen turkeys, the last train made its last run.  The High Line then stood silent and overgrew with weeds.   Plans were made to tear it down.

But thanks to some private citizens who love trains and love New York, the High Line was saved and has been turned into a stunning park.  In 2009, the first phase of the park opened.   It has quickly become a not-to-be-missed destination, with its unique views of the City, interesting landscaping, and fanciful furniture.   On a Sunday afternoon it offers some of the best people-watching in all of New York!

AND… it’s coming closer to us!  The High Line will soon extend all the way to 34th Street.  We’re excited!  We’ll let you know when that final phase opens.

For now, just turn right when you leave Webster, make a left on 10th Avenue and walk to 30th Street.  Look to the right.  The entrance is just a few steps ahead of you.

There’s no biking, skateboarding , ball playing or loud music permitted on the High Line.  It’s just a place to go to for a lovely urban stroll.  It’s a little old-fashioned.  It’s a little like Webster.

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