Rail Yards

A final look at the High Line at the Rail Yards before construction begins. Clockwise from upper right, photos by Beverly Israely, Liz Ligon, Liz Ligon

The High Line’s final section is currently closed to visitors, but earlier this month more than 1,600 people explored the final stretch of elevated railway as part of Rail Yards Weekends, a series of self-guided walking tours in celebration of the one-year anniversary of UNIQLO’s Fifth Avenue Global Flagship Store opening, the Japanese clothing retailer’s support of the High Line’s ongoing maintenance and park operations, and the 10th Annual openhousenewyork Weekend.

Follow us after the jump to view visitor photos, watch video, and check out photo essays and press coverage.

As you can see in this video by Arbuckle Industries, the third and final section of the High Line at the Rail Yards is currently overgrown with self-seeded wildflowers and grasses that grew up between the tracks when the trains stopped running on the elevated railway in the 1980s.

Our goal has always been to open this final section of the elevated railway as public open space, and last week we held a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the beginning of construction. Before the work officially begins next month, we’re opening the gates for you to explore the rail yards section during the first two weekends in October. Presented by Uniqlo as part of the 10th Annual openhousenewyork Weekend, the self-guided walking tours during Rail Yards Weekends will be your last chance to walk along the High Line at the Rail Yards before it is transformed into an extension of the High Line park.

Registration opens tomorrow. Follow us after the jump to get registration details.

Join us this October for a special opportunity to explore the final section of the High Line, thanks to support from UNIQLO.

Mark your calendars!

The High Line’s final section at the rail yards is currently closed to visitors, but we will be opening the gates for you to explore the site during the first two weekends in October. It’s part of the 10th Annual openhousenewyork Weekend, and this year, thanks to UNIQLO, there will be two weekends of tours, and twice as many opportunities to explore the High Line at the rail yards.

Follow us after the jump to get details.

The rail yards section will extend the High Line’s distinct design vocabulary established south of West 30th Street, evoking the High Line’s history as an active freight rail line, and the unique self-seeded landscape that grew between the tracks when the trains stopped running in the 1980s.

We have made major advances at the rail yards this summer.

Last week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Speaker Christine Quinn announced that the City of New York has acquired the High Line at the rail yards from CSX Transportation, Inc., bringing us one step closer toward starting construction. Our next steps are fundraising to pay for transforming the rail yards section into a public park, and collaborating on the design with our City partners and the team of James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf.

Last night we presented the latest design renderings at community input meeting, where more than 200 supporters joined us to share feedback and ask questions.

Follow us after the jump to view some of the new design renderings.

The news marks an important point in the history of the High Line. This elevated railway viaduct, originally built in 1934 to carry freight trains, is now entirely owned by the City of New York and poised to be fully transformed into a one-of-a-kind public space. Photo by Barry Munger

We have exciting news to share with you.

The City of New York has acquired the title to the third and final section of the High Line from CSX Transportation, Inc. The transfer of ownership paves the way to begin construction so that the last stretch can open to the public one day soon.

We are one step closer to securing the third and final section of the High Line at the rail yards to be transformed into public open space.

On Wednesday, April 25, the New York City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a zoning text amendment that secures the eastern portion of the High Line at the rail yards, including the 10th Avenue Spur, as public open space.

Follow us after the jump to learn more about this important step for the High Line.