“Hello, ma’am, could you answer a survey about the High Line?” asked a boy of about 12 years old. Around, other children of the same age approached passersby with clipboards. “It’s for a school project,” the boy explained. “What do you think is different about the High Line from other parks in the city? And do you like the way the space was used?”, he decided to throw out the questions and not give me a chance to escape.
But what would be so interesting about a park that it could become a topic for school research? Opened in 2008, the High Line was built on top of a train line that had been deactivated since the 1960s. By transforming a degraded area into a living space, the place quickly became an international reference for the renovation of degraded urban spaces and is adored by locals and tourists alike. In a short time, he secured his place on those “can’t miss” lists in New York.
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After decades without use, it was only in 1999 that the idea of putting the area to creative use began to come into practice. The project was the result of an intense debate between the city council and local residents, who organized themselves to prevent the demolition of the structure for commercial purposes and transform it into a public space for pedestrian circulation.
Nine years later, the place gained an innovative architectural design, plants, benches, lounge chairs and wooden walkways. The project also helped in the urban and economic development of the region, through the increase in value of properties in the surrounding area. The thing went so well that there are people wanting to repeat the experience in Minhocão in São Paulo, a tempting proposal in a city as lacking in social spaces as the capital of São Paulo.
Today, the High Line serves as a meeting place, running track or just a green space to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Starting at 12th Street and going up to 30th, the park has several access points along its entire length. It’s worth entering close to one of its ends and enjoying the pleasant walk to the other end. A good idea is to combine the tour with a visit to Chelsea Market, which is located near the entrance to 16th Street. The Chelsea area is, in fact, one of the most charming in New York, and is worth a trip.
Along the way, the city hides and reveals itself. In some points, the vegetation hides the “life outside”. In others, we were so close to buildings and constructions that it would be possible to touch them.
Every now and then, we come across urban art panels that add color to the tour.
The High Line is open from 7am to 11pm, with free entry.
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