High Line Blog

During a ceremonial moment to mark the start of construction, we tossed grass and wildflower seeds onto the High Line at the Rail Yards. Some of the seeds were originally collected from the High Line before construction began on the first section of the park back in 2006. Photo by Timothy Schenck

Earlier today we celebrated an incredible moment in the history of the High Line.

We joined a small group of elected officials, supporters, and friends for a ceremonial groundbreaking on the third and final section of the High Line at the Rail Yards.

Follow us after the jump to see photos, design renderings, and learn more.

Artist Jennifer West with her filmstrip One Mile Parkour Film. Photo by Liz Ligon

On Thursday, September 13th High Line Art presented One Mile Parkour Film, a day-long performance by Los Angeles-based artist Jennifer West, in which the artist and High Line staff adhered a one-mile-long filmstrip to the entire length of the High Line for one day. Visitors were invited to walk on, touch, draw, dance, and alter the filmstrip, which consisted of images filmed by West in June of locations on and around the High Line.

Check out our slideshow of images of visitors throughout the day leaving their mark on the filmstrip in a variety of fun and inventive ways.

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.

This time of year Broadleaf ironweed displays beautiful purple flowers that turn to fluffy seed heads. Photo by Patrick Cullina

The High Line’s planting design is inspired by the self-seeded landscape that grew up between rail tracks after the trains stopped running in the 1980s. Today, the High Line includes more than 300 species of perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees — each chosen for their hardiness, adaptability, diversity, and seasonal variation in color and texture. Some of the species that originally grew on the High Line’s rail bed are reflected in the park landscape today.

This week we share with you one of our gardeners’ current favorites.