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July 31, 2010

City Council Votes in Favor of the High Line at the Rail Yards

High Line at the Rail Yards Volunteers.

Friends of the High Line is working with the City of New York, under the leadership of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, to preserve the entire High Line, from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street, and transform it into an extraordinary and inspiring public park. The High Line at the West Side Rail Yards represents one-third of the entire historic structure, but it is not yet secured for public use.

But thanks to the visionary leadership of City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the City Council members, the future of the High Line at the rail yards is looking bright. On Thursday, July 29, 2010, the New York City Council voted to approve the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) application that gives the City of New York permission to acquire the High Line at the
West Side Rail Yards.

While the successful completion of the ULURP process does not guarantee full preservation, it is a major, positive step in the right direction. Friends of the High Line has always envisioned transforming the entire High Line into continuous public open space. Thank you to Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn, and the City Council, as well as Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, City Planning Chair Amanda Burden, Community Board 4, and our supporters who showed their support throughout the ULURP process for bringing Friends of the High Line one step closer toward that goal.

Our rail yards advocacy and programming is generously supported by the LuEsther T. Mertz Advised Fund, The New York Community Trust, Greenacre Foundation, and with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties.

July 28, 2010

Enjoy a Free, Guided Walking Tour with a High Line Docent

High Line Docents

Walking tours are a great way to learn more about the High Line's history, design, and distinct horticultural elements in an intimate setting.

High Line Docents are volunteers trained by Friends of the High Line staff on all aspects of the High Line. Every Saturday at 11:00 AM, a High Line Docent leads a free, guided walk through Section 1 for up to 20 people. Meet at the bottom of the Gansevoort Street stair. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit our tours page for more information.

July 20, 2010

Rockefeller Foundation Honors High Line Co-Founders with 2010 Jane Jacobs Medals

Joshua David and Robert Hammond

On July 20, 2010, the Rockefeller Foundation announced Joshua David, Robert Hammond, and Elizabeth Barlow Rogers are the recipients of the 2010 Jane Jacobs Medals. The Foundation awards the Medals each year to recipients whose work "creates new ways of seeing and understanding New York City, challenges traditional assumptions, and creatively uses the urban environment to make New York City a place of hope and expectation."

The Medals are named for Jane Jacobs, whose seminal 1961 work, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities," challenged the conventional wisdom of city planners of that era, celebrated the vibrancy of the urban streetscape, and advocated for citizen involvement in the development of neighborhoods.

In previous years, the Foundation has awarded two medals: one for New Ideas and Activism and another for Lifetime Leadership. This year, the New Ideas and Activism award is being given to both Joshua and Robert, while Elizabeth is receiving the award for Lifetime Leadership.

It is a particular honor for Joshua and Robert to be recognized with Elizabeth, the founding President of the Central Park Conservancy and current President of the Foundation for Landscape Studies. Elizabeth’s vision for park stewardship created a model for public-private partnerships to restore and improve both large and small urban parks worldwide. Elizabeth has supported Friends of the High Line from the very beginning, and the High Line would not be here today without her dedication and support.

Thank you to the Rockefeller Foundation for recognizing Joshua, Robert, and Elizabeth with these Medals, and for the very generous support it has given to Friends of the High Line.

Read the press release.

July 16, 2010

Save the Date! City Council Public Hearing on the High Line at the Rail Yards

From the beginning, Friends of the High Line has fought for the full preservation of the entire High Line, from Gansevoort Street all the way to 34th Street, and its transformation into a continuous public open space.

Section 3 of the High Line, from 30th to 34th Street, at the West Side Rail Yards has not yet been secured for park use. In order for the City of New York to take ownership of this portion of the High Line, the New York City Council must approve the application that would give the City permission to acquire it.

The application has been working its way through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) process for the past six months. The City Planning Commission, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and Community Board 4 have already recommended approval, and now it’s time for the City Council to make the final decision.

Please join Friends of the High Line at the final public hearing on Tuesday, July 27, at 11:00 AM.

While there is still much to be done, giving the City this necessary permission is the critical first step toward the ultimate goal: full preservation of the High Line north of 30th Street, including the 10th Avenue Spur, and completion of the park all the way to 34th Street.

The most effective way to make Section 3 a reality is by attending the final public hearing at the City Council and saying thank you to City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the Council members for their long-time support for the High Line.

City Council Public Hearing
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
11 AM
250 Broadway, Hearing Room, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Please RSVP for the public hearing by emailing railyards@thehighline.org.

Friends of the High Line will have a limited number of red “Save the High Line at the Rail Yards” t-shirts available for supporters to wear during the hearing. Supporters who already own red t-shirt are encouraged to wear them to show support.

July 15, 2010

This Weekend Is Family Arts Weekend on the High Line

On July 17 and 18, Friends of the High Line hosted Family Arts Weekend on the High Line — two days of free arts programs designed for kids of all ages. The programs were part of Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event, offered at more than 80 cultural and art institutions in 30 cities throughout the country.

July 13, 2010

FREE Fitness & Movement Classes to Resume July 20

Fitness & Movement on the High Line.

The first session of free fitness and movement classes on the High Line ended last week, but the good news is that a second session will begin very soon. Every Tuesday morning between July 20 and September 7, Instructor Frederick Schjang will teach the Feldenkrais Method and Pilates Fusion on the High Line in the Chelsea Market Passage. People of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Classes are presented in partnership with Friends of the High Line and Shape Up NYC. For more information, visit our Events Calendar.