Section 2 of the High Line Is Open

Earlier today, we stood with Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Speaker Christine Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and other leaders and supporters to cut the ribbon on the new section of the High Line. Tomorrow will be the first full day the new section is open to the public.

The opening of the new section doubles the length of the public park. After years of planning, design and construction, the High Line is now one mile long, running from Gansevoort Street to West 30th Street, connecting the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea, and Hell's Kitchen.

Read more about Section 2's design on our Web site, and view photos on the High Line's Facebook page.

New access points are located at West 23rd Street, West 26th Street, West 28th Street, and West 30th Street, supplementing the five existing access points at Gansevoort Street, West 14th Street, West 16th Street, and West 18th Street, and West 20th Street. All access points will be open daily during the public park's summer operating hours, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

The High Line is fully wheelchair-accessible, with a new elevator located at West 30th Street, and another located at West 23rd Street, scheduled to open by the end of June, supplementing the two existing elevators at West 14th Street and West 16th Street.

After your visit, don't forget to add your photos to the High Line's Flickr pool.

PLEASE NOTE
Because crowding may occur in the opening weeks, please check our Web site for updates about park conditions before you visit.

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New in Section 2

Join us this summer to celebrate the opening of Section 2. There are many special initiatives coming up:

STEP TO THE HIGH LINE FESTIVAL
Teens from around the city will turn the High Line into their stage for a week-long festival of step performances celebrating the power and energy of our city's youth. Watch a video to get a preview.

HIGH LINE ART
New public artworks debut, including a sculpture by Sarah Sze, a sound installation by Julianne Swartz, a photographic billboard installation by Joel Sternfeld, and a series of rooftop dance performances by the Trisha Brown Dance Company. Read more in The New York Times.

THE LOT
A temporary public plaza opens below the High Line, offering Rainbow City, an art installation presented by AOL, free community events, family activities, and more. Situated under the High Line at The Lot is a new outdoor bar, The Lot on Tap, operated by Colicchio & Sons. Brooklyn Brewery's new seasonal brew, called Brooklyn High Line Elevated Wheat, will be served exclusively at The Lot on Tap. Read more about it in The New York Times.

HIGH LINE FOOD
This summer, you will be able to grab a snack, pick up a meal, or enjoy a dessert without leaving the High Line. In conjunction with the opening of Section Two, two New York-based food vendors will be open to serve visitors: People's Pops and La Newyorkina.

High Line Art is presented by Friends of the High Line and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and is made possible by Donald R. Mullen, Jr.; The Rockefeller Foundation's New York City Cultural Innovation Fund; The Greenwall Foundation; Vital Projects Fund, Inc.; and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and from the New York State Council on the Arts. Performances on the High Line are generously supported by The Philip & Janice Levin Foundation. In-kind sponsorship is provided by Edison Properties.

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The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Launches Rail Yards Challenge

The opening of the new section represents a major step forward in providing public access to the entire High Line, carrying visitors ten blocks north to the threshold of the High Line at the rail yards, the final section of the High Line.

The remaining one-third of the historic structure wraps around the Hudson Rail Yards, between West 30th and West 34th Streets. Still overgrown with wildflowers and grasses, the final stretch is owned by CSX Transportation, Inc. We are working with Mayor Bloomberg, CSX, and all the stakeholders to open the High Line at the rail yards to the public as soon as possible.

Today, we took a major step toward our goal. At today's ribbon cutting press conference, Mayor Bloomberg announced that The Tiffany & Co. Foundation has stepped forward with a $5 million grant to launch the Rail Yards Challenge, a fundraising effort to drive the future transformation of the High Line at the Rail Yards. Inspired by the Foundation's vision and commitment to the High Line, two long-time supporters of the High Line, Donald Pels and Wendy Keys, have pledged an additional $5 million to double the fundraising challenge.

Part of the Campaign for the High Line, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Rail Yards Challenge will help raise the necessary private funding to support the future design and capital construction of the High Line at the rail yards, and build an endowment for long-term park maintenance and operations.

The Tiffany & Co. Foundation was one of the visionary leaders in helping Friends of the High Line transform the historic structure into a public park. Through its urban parks program, the Foundation has generously donated $1 million to support the capital construction of the Chelsea Grasslands, the beloved stretch of the High Line between West 18th and West 20th Streets. Since then, the Foundation has given annual support for the High Line's maintenance and operations, a sign of its visionary commitment to New York City's green spaces.

Why we still need your help:

When you read about inspiring gifts like the Tiffany Foundation's, it is easy to assume that your own gift may no longer be needed. But the fact is: we still depend on all of our friends and supporters to maintain and operate the High Line.

The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Rail Yards Challenge helps build the High Line and create an endowment for the future. But the day-to-day operations of the High Line—gardening, maintenance, public programs, and public art—still depend on the continued support of all our neighbors and friends across the city, and beyond. As part of our license agreement with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, we must raise the essential private funds every year to support the majority of the High Line's operating budget, which pays for gardeners, maintenance staff, and public programs.

When you give to Friends of the High Line, you are helping to make sure that this special park is always maintained and operated at the high standards we have all come to love. No gift is too small. Thank you for your continued support.

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Tickets on Sale: Summer Party on the High Line

On Tuesday, June 28, 2011, Friends of the High Line will hold its first annual Summer Party on the High Line, Presented by Coach Men's Collection.

Join us for sunset drinks on the Diller - von Furstenberg Sundeck, bites at twilight, and dancing into the night, featuring DJ Jesse Marco. The Summer Party will also include limited-edition gifts courtesy of Coach Men's Collection.

Secure your tickets early, as we're sure to sell out! Purchase tickets online, or contact Alicia King at (212) 206-9922 or alicia.king@thehighline.org.

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Sustain the Entire High Line

Now that we have opened Section 2 of the High Line, this mile-long park in the sky extends all the way to West 30th Street.

Your membership support today will help us sustain the entire High Line throughout the busy summer to come.

To recognize your support in this critical year, we're proud to offer special 2011 membership benefits, including a new High Line map, now including Section 2 (member gifts of $40)...an invitation to a members-only tour of the rail yards (rail gifts of $150)…a special, limited-edition High Line keychain (beam gifts of $350 or more).

Become an Opening Season Member—make your membership gift before June 30!

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