Hurricane Sandy created unprecedented challenges to our city and region. We are grateful for your well wishes and support that you have provided in the wake of the storm. Our hearts go out to the many victims who are still suffering from its devastating impact.

Visitors are once again enjoying the High Line, but relief efforts are still underway across New York City, including within the neighborhoods along the park. We wanted to share an update on what is happening at the High Line and in the surrounding community.


CHANGES AT THE HIGH LINE

The High Line reopened on Monday, November 5, 2012 after closing for a week due to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy and power outages in the area. Flooding in the park’s underground vaults compromised the lighting and other mechanical systems along some stretches of the High Line, so we are currently operating the park on a limited schedule, from dawn to dusk, in order to provide a safe and secure environment for visitors. The park is open daily, between 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, until further notice.

While the park’s utility connections sustained damage from floodwaters, the High Line’s landscape is in great shape. With the exception of a handful of small, uprooted trees, the plantings weathered the storm, and the design features and artworks are intact. However, some of the artworks that rely upon the park’s electrical system are temporarily suspended.

Visitors can access the High Line via stairs at each of the nine access points, as well as elevators at West 16th and West 30th Streets. The elevators at West 14th and West 23rd Streets are currently not operating. Please also note that the High Line’s food vendors are now closed for the season.


THE IMPACT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Like the High Line, many of the park’s closest neighbors are still recovering from flooding and power outages.

As you walk along the High Line, you will see that some restaurants and businesses remain closed. Other buildings are still without power due to damage from the floodwaters. Last week we helped colleagues at Fulton Tenants Association distribute blankets and supplies to residents of the Fulton Houses, a public housing complex next to the High Line that was without heat, hot water, and electricity. We are also helping to spread the word about volunteer opportunities and relief efforts to help the park’s many neighboring art galleries and non-profit organizations, like The Kitchen and Printed Matter, that collectively lost millions of dollars worth of artwork, office equipment, archival material, and space, and are struggling to reopen.

If you are able to lend a hand, please visit www.nycservice.org for information about donations and volunteer opportunities. You can also visit the New York Foundation for the Arts or Art Dealers Association of America to learn about ways to support financial programs and emergency grants for the arts community around the High Line.

If you still need help, please contact any of our elected officials or community partners for more information about FEMA and other relief support: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, New York State Senator Tom Duane, New York State Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Manhattan Community Board 2, Manhattan Community Board 4, Hudson Guild, the Fulton Tenant's Association, and the Meatpacking District Improvement Association. Over the past two weeks, they have worked tirelessly to get food, water, blankets, and other supplies to those who suffered as a result of Hurricane Sandy. We salute our leaders for their support and all that they do for our neighborhood.


WAYS YOU CAN HELP THE PARK

We are grateful that the High Line can serve as a respite during this difficult time for our city. We are fortunate that our staff is safe, and that the historic structure and park landscape were largely spared.

At the same time, major challenges lie ahead. We are working to fully restore the park’s lighting, irrigations systems, elevators, and other mechanical systems that sustained damage from salt water flooding during the hurricane.

With much of the equipment requiring replacement or repairs, a full recovery from the storm will be a significant financial challenge, and your continued support will be critical. If you are able, please consider a special contribution now. Thank you for helping us meet these challenges.

The High Line will be open on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23. Stop by the park to walk off your Thanksgiving meal and check out the last of the season’s fall foliage and autumnal blooms.

November is a great time to visit the High Line. Even after the recent severe weather, you will find purple Raydon’s Favorite aromatic asters, Firetail mountain fleece, and other popular fall flowers blooming amidst the dried grasses, stalks, and seed heads from this year’s growing season.

To help guide your visit, download our newly-redesigned November Bloom List, a free printable guide with names and full-color photographs to help you identify plants of interest.

Download the November Bloom List

The High Line has been blped!

Last month we debuted a new art installation at the park — a series of “blps” by artist Richard Artschwager presented in conjunction with the Whitney Museum of American Art. This series is the first official collaboration between High Line Art and the Whitney.

Artschwager’s blps — a word coined by the artist and pronounced “blips” — have transformed art spaces and city streets for decades. As you stroll through the park this season, keep an eye out for nine of the lozenge-shaped marks installed along the High Line. You’ll find them on water towers, building windows, and other unusual locations, like the High Line’s water fountain pictured at right.

The blps join more than 13 other artworks currently on view at the park. Learn more and download a free seasonal art map to help you locate the works.

As we enter the holiday season, show your love with a gift from the High Line.

Visit the High Line Web Shop to check out unique gift ideas and fun stocking stuffers for all ages. There are books, tees, sweatshirts, umbrellas, bags, posters, new High Line-inspired apparel by Diane von Furstenberg, and much more. Every purchase supports the High Line’s ongoing maintenance, helping us keep the park beautiful, clean, and welcoming.

Take advantage of our one-day holiday sale on Monday, November 26, with 20% off all purchases. Stay tuned for an upcoming email with the coupon code.

If you would like another way to show your support, give back this holiday season by participating in our High Line Toy Drive. We are partnering with the New York City Housing Authority, Fulton Youth of the Future, Hudson Guild, Chelsea Market Baskets, and Posman Books to bring toys to more than 300 kids in West Chelsea.

We’ll be announcing details very soon. Please like the High Line on Facebook or follow @highlinenyc on Twitter for updates.

Here are the past few weeks’ most popular items from the High Line Blog, Facebook, and Twitter.

High Line Blog
Guest Writer: Celebrating Community and Soup at the High Line

Facebook
Photo Essay: Haunted High Line Halloween

Twitter
The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the stylish staff at James Corner Field Operations

Want more High Line?

Check out the High Line Blog, like the High Line on Facebook, and follow @highlinenyc on Twitter to stay connected.

The High Line is managed by a partnership between Friends of the High Line and the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation

Images from top to bottom: Barry Munger, Iwan Baan; Mat McDermott, Austin Kennedy, Friends of the High Line

SUPPORT
Toyota is the Presenting Sponsor of the High Line Plant Guide and the monthly bloom lists.

Richard Artschwager’s blps are made possible by the Whitney Museum of American Art and High Line Art, presented by Friends of the High Line. Richard Artschwager! is organized by the Whitney Museum of American Art in association with the Yale University Art Gallery. Support for the blp project is provided by 32BNY. Special thanks to project participants and Avenues: The World School, David Nolan Gallery, The Standard, 450 West 31st Owners Corp., and RD Wright. High Line Art is presented by Friends of the High Line and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. High Line Art is made possible by Donald R. Mullen, Jr., with additional support from Vital Projects Fund, Inc. High Line Art is supported, in part, with 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 with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

High Line Community Engagement is supported by the Nathan Cummings Foundation and lead corporate sponsor AT&T.

The High Line Teaching Artists Halloween Program is sponsored by AT&T. High Line Education is supported, in part, by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, and the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation.

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