Deborah Glick, New York State Assemblymember

Community is not just about the borders of a neighborhood; it is about the shared interests and shared values of the people who live there. It is about the interactions and interrelationships between people and businesses in the area and being connected by virtue of one’s daily activities. Picking up breakfast from a coffee shop, dropping off at the dry cleaners or laundromat, or stopping by the deli to fill in what one forgot to get when food shopping. All these connections are about community, and the High Line is a place where people meet to share a walk or sit down to enjoy the sunset.

The High Line has become an iconic New York location. I have always worked to increase the amount of open space and outdoor opportunities for recreation and enjoyment. The High Line is a survivor of New York’s past infrastructure for commerce; it is a vital link to our history and tells a story that otherwise would have been forgotten. Open space and the preservation of our history—especially our maritime history of which the High Line is a crucial link—are very important to me and my work.

In thinking about what traits I have in common with the High Line, I would say: unique, essentially New York, and focused on serving the public.