Section 3 of the High Line Park Opens Today – See New Photos!

The third and final section of the High Line will officially open to the public today at 11 A.M., marking the final chapter of a 15-year journey to transform a once abandoned rail road track into an elevated park for the city. The new section has been christened ‘High Line at the Railyards‘ and follows the original train tracks from 30th to 34th Streets to the north and south, and from 10th to 12th Avenues east and west, exposing High Line-goers to expansive and unobstructed views of the Hudson River and New Jersey. Unlike the two sections that preceded it, the path that makes up The Railyards is far less manicured. With its organized but “wild” greenery, the design of this final leg instead asks visitors to contemplate the railway’s past and the surrounding landscape as it stands and as it will change with the introduction of Hudson Yards.

Images © 6sqft

Yesterday, following a short procession, the ribbon was cut. Speakers included city officials and actor Edward Norton who has long been an advocate and fund-raiser for the project. Officials praised New York City’s civic-mindedness, as well as the forward-thinking, adaptive reuse design that has inspired countless others like it throughout the world—including a competition to design one in Queens.

Image © Iwan Baan

The design of the High Line is the collaborative work of landscape architect James Corner, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, who is responsible for the landscaping seen in this final section.

Image © Iwan Baan

Construction on the park first began in 2006 and has since become an unprecedented and much applauded effort by both the public and private sector to renew and revitalize a blighted urban area. Today, this 1.45 mile stretch is a cultural and economic pole for the city and a modern architectural icon for the world.

[High Line Park official site]

More photos as follows…

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © 6sqft

Image © 6sqft

Image © 6sqft

James Corner admiring the work of his own firm, James Corner Field Operations.

Image © 6sqft

Image © 6sqft

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © 6sqft

Image © Iwan Baan

Artits Adrián Villar Rojas’s created 13 sculptures for the Rail Yards. Each block is made of made of compacted organic materials (including bones!) and will break down over time.

Image © 6sqft

Image © 6sqft

Image © 6sqft

Image © 6sqft

Image © 6sqft

Image © Iwan Baan

Image © Iwan Baan

Tags : Diller Scofidio + Renfro, edward norton, High Line, Hudson Yards, James Corner, James Corner Field Operations, Piet Oudolf

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