Community

More than 250 neighbors joined us for a communal meal on the High Line on Saturday, October 22, 2012. Large photo by Scott Lynch. Soup photo by Jenna Saraco. Remaining photos by Sari Goodfriend

This special blog post comes to you from Ana Nicole Rodriguez, a High Line neighbor who grew up in West Chelsea and now works as an editorial intern for Food Arts Magazine. We invited Nicole to join us last weekend to document the second annual Social Soup Experiment on the High Line, an event presented by Friends of the High Line as part of High Line Food, a program that brings interesting, sustainable food to the High Line.

What is a park if not a space in which to bring people together?

That community sentiment, along with a focus on seasonality and local food sourcing, is precisely what inspired this year’s Social Soup Experiment. Dining need not exceed the simplicity of wholesome ingredients and smiling faces. A large spoon, two long wooden tables decorated with apples, and a group of more than 250 hungry neighbors is all you need to make the High Line’s “restaurant without walls” possible.

Pick up a copy from one of the stands along 10th Avenue, or follow us after the jump to read the article. Photo by Rowa Lee

Last month we introduced you to Erycka Montoya Perez, our new Community Engagement Manager at Friends of the High Line. One of our favorite local newspapers, Chelsea Now, recently spoke with Erycka about her experience thus far and her plans for the High Line.

Follow us after the jump to read the article, watch a short video, and see photos from recent community engagement activities.

High Line Supporters from the Portrait Project. Photos by Tom Kletecka

When you see the High Line on blogs and in the newspapers, you often read praise for the park’s innovative design, thought-provoking artworks, extraordinary views, family activities, and the many ways it has positively impacted New York City.

But like other New York City success stories, the High Line is not immune to criticism. Just last week, you may have seen a blogger’s opinion piece regrettably titled “Disney World on the Hudson” published in The New York Times.

In the days that followed the publication of the opinion piece, we were heartened to hear from many supporters, community leaders, and neighborhood residents who also took issue with the author’s opinion. Some supporters wrote letters to The New York Times; others published their opinions on their own blogs and social media.

Follow us after the jump for a sample of the letters and messages we received.

Erycka Montoya Pérez. Photo by Liz Ligon

We are pleased to introduce you to Erycka Montoya Pérez, who recently joined our team as the Community Engagement Manager, a new position created to focus on community-based initiatives, with support from the Nathan Cummings Foundation.

Dancing to the rhythms of Juan Morales and Sonido Costeño during ¡Arriba! Photo by Liz Ligon

This summer, you will find some of New York City’s best Latin bands at the High Line. It is all part of ¡Arriba! – our series of free, community dance parties, presented in partnership with HAI and Hudson Guild and supported by MetLife Foundation.

Last week more than 400 people danced to the salsa and merengue rhythms by Juan Morales and Sonido Costeño. We would like to thank everyone for joining us, and congratulate our raffle prize winners, Dennisse and Martin, who went home with our newly-designed High Line tote bags, and Rosa, who picked up a $75 gift certificate to Terroir at The Porch.

Follow us after the jump to view photos, and get the details for the ¡Arriba! in August, where we’ll be bringing Nu D’Lux to the High Line for an evening of Cuban beats.

This special High Line Live! performance turned the High Line at Little West 13th Street into an open theater at sunset. Photo by Julienne Schaer

This week we kicked off High Line Live! – our new program series that brings live theater, performance, and music to the park, thanks to the generous support of MetLife Foundation. More than 150 people joined us on Thursday, June 7 for the Hudson Guild Theater Company debut of their new production, The Sleeping Beauty on the High Line, a contemporary dance adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s classic The Sleeping Beauty. The performance coincided with the first anniversary of the opening of Section 2, making it an extra special occasion to gather with some of our closest neighbors.

Matthew Westerby choreographed the modern dance piece, which featured dancers of all ages and experience levels – many from our own community. The performance was produced by Jim Furlong, Director of Arts at Hudson Guild, a multi-service community center serving those who live, work, or go to school in Chelsea, with a focus on those in need. The Sleeping Beauty is one of many public programs we’ve presented at the High Line in partnership with Hudson Guild.

Join us after the jump to see more photos from The Sleeping Beauty on the High Line.