High Line

Description:

• The High Line is an urban oasis filled with beautifully manicured landscapes situated upon the old elevated train tracks that were installed as part of the West Side Improvement Project back in 1929. The elevated train tracks originally ran 13 miles from 34th Street to Spring Street, however the southern end of the tracks were demolished in the 1960's to make room for developers. The line primarily was used to transport goods along the lower west side (meatpacking district), but with the advent of vehicles in the 50's and more accessible routes on the west side, the last train ran in 1980. Thereafter, the elevated tracks fell into disrepair and the whole structure was nearly demolished, but all was not lost as some wise benefactors and brilliant city planners called the Friends of the High Line saved the tracks with the purpose of renovating the entire structure as a public park. Today, in its most recent incarnation, the park stretches from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street in its first phase of development and the second phase to 34th Street still under construction.
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