Address
Gansvroot Street to 34th St., from 10th-12th Ave, New York, NY
Phone Number
(212) 500 - 6035
Date Visited
05/26/2018
Website
High LIne
Description
The High LIne is a public park built on historical freight rail lines elevated above the streets of Manhattan's West Side. It runs from Gansvroot Street to West 34th Street between 10th and 12th Avenues. Parking must be found either on the street or in nearby garages.Elevators can be found at Gansvroot, 14th, 16th, 23rd and 30th Streets. Additional streets have steps leading to the High Line. There is a ramp at the 34th Street end.
The High Line's surface varies between concrete pavers, aluminum grating and glued gravel. All surfaces are smooth for easy walking and/or riding.
There is ample room for walking. The High Line has many benches, and some tables and chairs for relaxing.
Multi-stall, handicapped-accessible restrooms with baby-changing stations can be found at Gansvroot Street.
Vendors offer a variety of snacks and drinks.
- Terrain: flat
Places to rest: many benches
Paths and walkways: all smooth surfaces
Elevators: five
Ramps: along some sections
Steps and staircases: steps at many entrances
Width of aisles: ample space unless it is crowded
Places to sit: many benches, tables an chairs
Location of restrooms: Gansvroot Street
Type of restroom: multi-stall, handiapped-accessible
Ease of entry and exit: good
Baby changing station: yes
Available food services: a variety of vendors
Friendliness of staff: volunteers are pleasant and knowledgeable
Notes: * There is no dedicated parking at this New York City venue. Street parking was easy early on a Sunday morning. There are some garages nearby.
When the last train left the High Line in 1980 who would have thought that 35 years later it would blossom as one of the “must see” places in New York City? We have visited the High Line before and have watched as each section was developed. Now we were returning to see the completed project.
Early on a Sunday morning, street parking was easy to find close to the 14th Street elevator to the High Line. Elevators can also be found at Gansvroot, 16th, 23rd, and 30th Streets. If you don’t want to elevate and can’t do the stairs, begin at 34th Street, where a gentle ramp goes from street level to the elevated main walkway.
The vision of two friends became “Friends of the High Line,” a group that advocated for the High Line’s preservation for use as public open space. (website) The High Line is a public park built on historical freight rail lines elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansvroot Street in the Meat Packing District to West 34th Street between 10th and 12th Avenue. (website)
As we walk, we note the abundance of benches, the smooth walkway, the incredible views and the planting design that has incorporated many species that originally grew wild over the rail beds. (website) Whether walking on concrete planks, aluminum grating or some kind of glued down gravel, it is a smooth walk/ride. Even places where you can walk along the original train tracks are smooth enough for a wheelchair or carriage.
The southern section has a sprinkler area, vendors where one can purchase souvenirs, a drink and/or snack, an outdoor theater area, tables and chairs, and multi-stall, handicapped-accessible restrooms with baby-changing stations (at Gansvroot St.)
We made many stops along our way north, trying to remember and compare how it used to look with how it looks now. The first two sections from Ganssvroot to 30th Street seem to have been fully developed, with new luxury buildings on either side of the walkway and trees and plantings that seem to have matured.
The newest and final section, from 30th – 34th Streets, is a simpler design, featuring self-seeded plnating original to the site, a smooth, glued gravel walkway, and much closer to the river, with incredible views of the Hudson and New Jerse We found a children’s play area up here but no vendors. Massive building projects are still going on at Hudson Yards. This construction has covered good deal of the railroad yards. There is an architectural feature called “The Vessel,” a huge spiral staircase that is visuually intersting. You can get tickets if you want to climb the any portion of the almost 2,500 steps.
When we began our walk (before 9:00 am) it was fairly quiet. By the time we returned to Gansvroot Street, the High Line was “packed.” Of course, being a lovely Sunday most certainly contributed to the number of people enjoying this venue with us.
We have been to the High Line in different seasons, on different dayshe week, and at different times of the day. Each visit is a new experience. We have yet to be able to take a tour, but it will happen. This is a wonderful oasis in New York City that is easily accessible, and should not be missed.
As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to check a venue’s website, www.thehighline.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”
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