Rail Yards

Since the very beginning, community input has played an important role in shaping the development of the High Line. This tradition continues today.

More than 400 neighbors, supporters, members, and friends attended the High Line at the Rail Yards Community Input Meeting on Monday, March 12 to see a presentation by James Corner and Ric Scofidio, of the High Line Design Team. The meeting gave our community the opportunity to be among the first to see the initial design concepts for the rail yards and to share their feedback directly with the designers.

Follow us after the jump for photos from the meeting and a summary of the public’s comments.

A design rendering of Jeff Koons' Train at the High Line. Image by James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Jeff Koons.

As we continue to refine the initial design concepts for the rail yards section of the High Line, the design team is studying a range of options for the 10th Avenue Spur, with the objective to make it one of the major gathering spaces at the park.

We showed two initial design concepts for the Spur at a community input meeting on Monday, March 12, and we also wanted to share a potential art installation conceived by artist Jeff Koons that could work with either of them.

As one more far-reaching ideas – one that would bring trains back to the High Line in a big way – the art installation, called Train, would feature a full-size replica of a 1943 Baldwin 2900 steam locomotive suspended from a crane above the Spur.

High Line at the Rail Yards Community Meeting in December, 2011. Photo by Yoon Kim

We asked. You told us. Now the fun begins.

It’s a familiar experience for those who have recently visited the High Line. Standing at the northernmost point of the park, you look through the metal construction fence and see the still undeveloped stretch of the historic freight rail structure. You ask yourself, “What is happening out there? Will this be open to the public?”

Here is your chance to find out.

Join us at the High Line at the Rail Yards Community Input Meeting on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 PM to get an update on the third and final section of the High Line.