NEW YORK—Preservers of The High Line Park, an elevated freight train railway that has been converted into a public space, was presented the 2010 Doris C. Freedman award on Wednesday by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
Friends of the High Line became part of a tradition that was established in 1982 which “recognizes an individual or organization for a contribution to the people of the city of New York that greatly enriches the public environment,” according to a press release issued by the mayor’s office.
The High Line was constructed in the 1930s to allow freight trains to run on an elevated railway and deliver their goods without obstructing traffic on Manhattan streets. Trains stopped running on the Line in 1980. But in 1999, the railway was in danger of demolition, and thus, Friends of the High Line was founded to fight for the preservation of the structure.
The High Line starts at Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District and runs along 10th Avenue, reaching West 30th Street. From there, the West Side Rail Yards goes around the 10th Avenue Spur. Section 1 of the High Line, which runs from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street, was open to the public on June 9, 2009. Section 2, which runs from 20th to 30th Street, will be open in 2011.
On June 12, the nonprofit preservation group rejoiced at news of the City Planning Commission’s approval of the city’s ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) application to acquire the West Side Rail Yards. Though the city is now given the option of acquisition, it is not definite the city will do so. However, Friends of the High Line stated on its website that it was still “a major, positive step” toward their goal of full preservation and completion of the park all the way to West 34th Street.
The High Line acts as an open public space for many New Yorkers to explore and become inspired. People can be seen taking photographs of the skyline and surrounding cityscape. Elevated 30 feet in the air, the park provides a rare and beautiful view of the city.
Friends of the High Line became part of a tradition that was established in 1982 which “recognizes an individual or organization for a contribution to the people of the city of New York that greatly enriches the public environment,” according to a press release issued by the mayor’s office.
The High Line was constructed in the 1930s to allow freight trains to run on an elevated railway and deliver their goods without obstructing traffic on Manhattan streets. Trains stopped running on the Line in 1980. But in 1999, the railway was in danger of demolition, and thus, Friends of the High Line was founded to fight for the preservation of the structure.
The High Line starts at Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District and runs along 10th Avenue, reaching West 30th Street. From there, the West Side Rail Yards goes around the 10th Avenue Spur. Section 1 of the High Line, which runs from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street, was open to the public on June 9, 2009. Section 2, which runs from 20th to 30th Street, will be open in 2011.
On June 12, the nonprofit preservation group rejoiced at news of the City Planning Commission’s approval of the city’s ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) application to acquire the West Side Rail Yards. Though the city is now given the option of acquisition, it is not definite the city will do so. However, Friends of the High Line stated on its website that it was still “a major, positive step” toward their goal of full preservation and completion of the park all the way to West 34th Street.
The High Line acts as an open public space for many New Yorkers to explore and become inspired. People can be seen taking photographs of the skyline and surrounding cityscape. Elevated 30 feet in the air, the park provides a rare and beautiful view of the city.
