Best of the High Line Blog

The High Line is well on its way to becoming New York’s first park in the sky, with plants taking root in late summer and the first section on schedule to open by the end of 2008. Keep up to date with the High Line’s progress here on the Blog, written by Friends of the High Line’s staff members:

Design!

Our new Design Video, produced by Brooklyn Digital Foundry, and made possible by the Trust for Architectural Easements.

Slide show of Sections 1 and 2 Design

Designing the High Line, our brand new design publication is now for sale on Amazon.com

Construction!

Site Photography: Planking Installation

Action-Packed Construction Update

Photo of the Week: Peel-Up Benches

History!

History Video, Narrated by Ethan Hawke

Chelsea: 1986

Westbeth High Line Section

Community News!

Chalk Shoes to the High Line

Florent: Don’t Cry for Me

Field Ops to Design the Country’s Largest Urban Park

Student-Run Farmer’s Market at PS 11 in Chelsea

And last but not least, the High Line’s favorite compatriot:

David Beckham!

David Beckham Bears All for the High Line, “Parts” 1 and 2

David Beckham Bares All (Again!) for the High Line

[Click to enlarge, if you think you can handle the full glory.]

Here he is, at it again.  (David Beckham was last seen showing off for the High Line back in February.   Compare and contrast.)

High Liners Paddle the Bronx River!

[Paddlers enjoy a history lesson about Concrete Plant Park, opening to the public in September]

On Saturday, 60 High Line supporters ventured up to Hunt’s Point in the South Bronx for a tour of the Bronx River–by canoe. Staff from the Bronx River Alliance guided us down the river past a dynamic combination of still-functioning industry, new parkland, and a host of wildlife (crabs, egrets, mussels, you name it). We started off at Hunts Point Riverside Park, which is part of the new greenway project spearheaded by the Sustainable South Bronx. The project seeks to create a network of walking and biking paths, new parks, and water recreation, ensuring that residents of the South Bronx get their fair share of green space and access to the waterfront.

Members of Friends of the High Line receive a discount and hear about our public programs first–to become a member, click here.

If you missed the tour this weekend, never fear–the Bronx River Alliance holds public tours all summer long. Click here to see a schedule of upcoming events [PDF].

Relatedly, The Floating Pool Lady will offer an alternative to Hunts Pointers to swimming in the Bronx River for the next three summers.

More photos after the jump.

Student-Run Farmers Market at PS 11 in Chelsea

[Cabbages grow at Stoneledge Farm in upstate New York]

There’s a new farmer’s market in the neighborhood– and it’s run entirely by students. Starting next week, you can stop by Wednesday mornings for some fresh seasonal veggies!

PS 11, an elementary school, is partnering with the Chelsea CSA to sell local, organic produce at affordable prices from Stoneledge Farm in upstate New York, part of an initiative at the school on healthy eating. There will be cooking demonstrations, recipes and tips to help families learn about the food and discover new ways to enjoy healthy, local, and seasonal produce. Next week, learn how to make Southwestern Slaw with bok choy and napa cabbage.

PS 11 Farm Market

Wednesdays, 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

June 18 – November 28

320 W. 21st Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues)

In front of the school

Photo of the Week: Heat Wave!

[Photo by the endlessly talented Tim Schenck]

It’s ridiculously hot today. Of course, on the High Line construction site, that just means things are a little sexier than usual.

Earlier: David Beckham Bares All for the High Line

High Line Horticulture Tours Were Hot, Hot, Hot

Despite the heat wave this weekend, 80 intrepid High Line supporters took part in our first ever High Line horticulture tours on Saturday. Alex Feleppa, director of horticulture for the Horticultural Society of New York, took visitors on a journey through the rail yards section of the Line (30th-34th Streets), the only part of the Line not yet under construction. Alex highlighted native and invasive species, plants’ adaptation to tough conditions like those on the High Line, and the way seeds spread and germinate.

These tours were part of our regular spring/summer programming calendar. To hear about upcoming programs, join our mailing list, or better yet, become a member of Friends of the High Line. Members get advance notice of programming events.

High Line Horticulture Walk: Only a Few Spots Left

It’s not too late to join us and Alex Feleppa, director of horticulture for the Horticultural Society of New York, for a naturalist walk on the rail yards section of the High Line. The walks are this Saturday, June 7 (there are three sessions.)

We’re not usually able to bring people up to the High Line, so this is a rare chance to see it in its natural state.

Space is extremely limited and there are only a few slots left. Once they are full, you will be able to add yourself to the wait list, and we’ll contact you if there’s a cancellation.

The cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Of course, you can always become a member to get early notice and discounts on programs like this in the future.

Buy Tickets Here

 

Going Green: Only the Finest in Tap Water

[Tasty, healthy, and energy-efficient: Katie and our new water-filter cooler]

A while back, we got to thinking that our office operations should reflect the values inherent in the High Line itself, as well as our own staff’s personal commitment to environmental conservation. Recently, two larger non-profits built themselves new LEED certified offices (NYC Audubon Society and the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment). We got jealous.

History Video, Narrated by Ethan Hawke

A good concise history of the High Line, from the days of Death Avenue to Friends of the High Line’s preservation efforts. Ethan Hawke narrated this video for us, and Matt Wolf produced it.