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.

This summer we’re unveiling new High Line merchandise, including engineer caps for adults and kids that pay tribute to the High Line’s railway history.

We’ve designed an entire line of new High Line merchandise, and it is now available in the High Line Web Shop and at the High Line Merchandise & Membership Cart, which is open every Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the High Line at West 16th Street.

The new merchandise celebrates the High Line’s plantings, innovative design, and history as a railway with vibrant photographs and unique graphics. Featured images include trains on the High Line, West Side Cowboys, some of your favorite summer blooms, and incredible scenic views of the park. You’ll also find brand-new High Line gear – from engineer caps to notebooks – allowing you to show your support of the park in style.

Join us after the jump for a look at the new merchandise.

Roosevelt Park sits in front of Michigan Central Station, the old railway station that seen a train in over two decades. Leaders from the Roosevelt Park Conservancy, the organization that is implementing capital improvements and developing a master plan for the site, will be at the High Line on Monday, July 23 to talk about public spaces in Detroit. Photo by David Schalliol.

The High Line gets a lot of attention, but it is one of many examples of officials, advocates, and community leaders joining together to transform out-of-use infrastructure into public space.

Beyond the High Line is a new series of free public talks bringing some of the country’s most innovative thinkers to the High Line to present their big ideas and talk about the latest updates. The series debuted in June, with a talk about Chicago’s Bloomingdale Trail (WATCH THE VIDEO), and continues on Monday, July 23 with a focus on new and revived public spaces in Detroit. Join us to talk with leaders from the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and the Roosevelt Park Conservancy, and enjoy a reception with Coney Dogs and Motown music.

Follow us after the jump for photos and video from the Chicago talk.