The High Line Park in New York, lessons learned

A few months ago I had the opportunity to stroll along New York City’s newest park, the High-Line. This is the park that had been for years an abandoned elevated rail track, but instead of being torn down has become a breath of fresh air, innovative and appealing, in New York City. The weekend I was there the park was full of people strolling, children playing, and others sitting on the inventive park benches that imitated beachfront chaise lounges. The view of course was tremendous too.


The park designers had thought of everything. There were kiosks selling hot chocolate, coffee and snacks. There were benches to sit on. The weeds that had been part of the abandoned tracks had been saved and were labeled and replanted and interspersed with other native plants. The flooring design emphasized the outline of the rails. Every detail was well thought out, to delight the eye.

How did this happen? How did an abandoned piece of railway become such a wonderful vibrant place? We see the usual story. Property owners wanted to tear it down; then community activists and neighbors stepped in to lobby for reuse of the high line as a public space. Next, an “open ideas” competition, ‘Designing the High Line’ was held, in 2003. The award was let and ground was broken in 2006. In 2009 the park was open to the public.

This is a story of planning gone right, in the heart of New York City. City Council, planners, and civic activists all worked to make it happen. We can do this here in Montgomery County.

This is what we want for the White Flint Sector. Vibrancy. Innovation. Intelligent Growth.