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On the High Line: Exploring America's Most Original Urban Park
A fully revised, updated edition of the award-winning guide to the High Line, the park that transformed an entire neighborhood and became an inspiration to cities around the globe When the High Line opened in 2009 it was expected to attract around 300,000 visitors a year. In 2013, more than four million came. A survey by Travel & Leisure ranked it #10 on a list of the world’s most popular landmarks.
On the High Line , first published in 2012, is an engaging guide to everything a visitor sees when strolling through the the innovative gardens and their thousands of native and exotic plant species; the architecture, both old and new, industrial and residential; and a neighborhood whose colorful history includes the birth of the railroad, the Manhattan Project, S&M clubs, and the legendary Tenth Avenue Cowboy.
In 2014, the final half-mile section of the park will open, and visitors will encounter a very different High Line stunning vistas of the Hudson River; a birds-eye view of the trains in the working Hudson Rail Yards; and the original, self-sown landscape that emerged in the abandoned rail bed and inspired the High Line’s early champions. Striking new views of the city will be opened throughout.
The updated edition includes sixteen new pages devoted to the final section of the park, with original photography, design renderings, and a new essay by Rick Darke. The book has also been updated throughout to reflect dozens of changes in the neighborhood since first publication.
On the High Line , first published in 2012, is an engaging guide to everything a visitor sees when strolling through the the innovative gardens and their thousands of native and exotic plant species; the architecture, both old and new, industrial and residential; and a neighborhood whose colorful history includes the birth of the railroad, the Manhattan Project, S&M clubs, and the legendary Tenth Avenue Cowboy.
In 2014, the final half-mile section of the park will open, and visitors will encounter a very different High Line stunning vistas of the Hudson River; a birds-eye view of the trains in the working Hudson Rail Yards; and the original, self-sown landscape that emerged in the abandoned rail bed and inspired the High Line’s early champions. Striking new views of the city will be opened throughout.
The updated edition includes sixteen new pages devoted to the final section of the park, with original photography, design renderings, and a new essay by Rick Darke. The book has also been updated throughout to reflect dozens of changes in the neighborhood since first publication.
226 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 4, 2024
(Read in 2014, Review from 2024)
I read this in college for an urban studies class paper about urban green spaces. It was very informative and useful for the paper and inspired me to check out the park the next time I was in New York. Definitely one of the cooler parks out there and I'm glad it inspired a trend in urban parks.
I read this in college for an urban studies class paper about urban green spaces. It was very informative and useful for the paper and inspired me to check out the park the next time I was in New York. Definitely one of the cooler parks out there and I'm glad it inspired a trend in urban parks.
February 15, 2018
We borrowed this from our local public library (Baltimore County Public Library...."Salute!”) for a planned visit to the High Line. Good background and very helpful but overall the book would have benefited from greater detail on the various maps.
October 12, 2021
Inspiring. What you can do to turn a space into a garden. I like the layout. Like you are walking from one end of the park to another.
May 31, 2014
Disclosure: I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I was not familiar with the High Line before I saw this book listed in the giveaway, so I Googled it and thought it sounded interesting, but a little ridiculous. The High Line is an abandoned elevated rail line that was converted into a park. Trains stopped running on it in 1980 and it lay unused for twenty years. In late 1999, two neighborhood residents began to advocate for its preservation and reuse as public open space. Out of that effort, the High Line park was eventually born and opened to the public in 2009.
During the time that the line was unused, it developed its own ecosystem and over 160 plant species were found growing along the abandoned tracks in 2003. The designers wanted to keep as much of that wild aspect to the space as possible. This was the part of the concept that I thought sounded a little ridiculous as I envisioned a long linear weed patch. But that was an unfair projection on my part. The book is filled with over 140 pictures of the park and its surroundings. The pictures show the beauty and uniqueness of the park. It is anything but a weed patch.
The book begins with a several page introduction of the history of the original rail line and the area. This is followed by a preface that talks about the state of the line as efforts were beginning to preserve it. Following the preface, the book explores the High Line from beginning to end in seven chapters that each cover three to five block long sections. This organization of the book would make it a nice guide book for anyone visiting the park.
Each chapter has a few paragraphs about the area and its past, and there are several essays on the park's vision and meaning, but the focus is on pictures of the park and its surroundings. The book is largely a photo essay. One aspect that I really enjoyed was the inclusion of pictures of the line from the early 2000's when the line was still unused and wild, as well as historic photos of the area from the days when the line was still being used for its original purpose.
In short, this book would serve as a useful guide book for anyone visiting the park. It also serves as a nice presentation of the park for anyone who can't make a trip to see it. And finally, it is a useful resource for anyone who it curious about what the High Line is all about.
I was not familiar with the High Line before I saw this book listed in the giveaway, so I Googled it and thought it sounded interesting, but a little ridiculous. The High Line is an abandoned elevated rail line that was converted into a park. Trains stopped running on it in 1980 and it lay unused for twenty years. In late 1999, two neighborhood residents began to advocate for its preservation and reuse as public open space. Out of that effort, the High Line park was eventually born and opened to the public in 2009.
During the time that the line was unused, it developed its own ecosystem and over 160 plant species were found growing along the abandoned tracks in 2003. The designers wanted to keep as much of that wild aspect to the space as possible. This was the part of the concept that I thought sounded a little ridiculous as I envisioned a long linear weed patch. But that was an unfair projection on my part. The book is filled with over 140 pictures of the park and its surroundings. The pictures show the beauty and uniqueness of the park. It is anything but a weed patch.
The book begins with a several page introduction of the history of the original rail line and the area. This is followed by a preface that talks about the state of the line as efforts were beginning to preserve it. Following the preface, the book explores the High Line from beginning to end in seven chapters that each cover three to five block long sections. This organization of the book would make it a nice guide book for anyone visiting the park.
Each chapter has a few paragraphs about the area and its past, and there are several essays on the park's vision and meaning, but the focus is on pictures of the park and its surroundings. The book is largely a photo essay. One aspect that I really enjoyed was the inclusion of pictures of the line from the early 2000's when the line was still unused and wild, as well as historic photos of the area from the days when the line was still being used for its original purpose.
In short, this book would serve as a useful guide book for anyone visiting the park. It also serves as a nice presentation of the park for anyone who can't make a trip to see it. And finally, it is a useful resource for anyone who it curious about what the High Line is all about.
June 10, 2014
Many people will talk to you about thinking outside of the box, but few actually do. There are those who will talk all day and night about re-purposing outdated things but never actually get around to doing something about it. But here within the pages of this extremely detailed guide to New York’s High Line Urban Park/Walkway there are prime examples of what can happen when action replaces good intentions.
If you are not familiar with the High Line, you are in for a treat. It is one and a half miles of re-purposed abandoned elevated railroad track on Manhattan’s West Side that parallels the Hudson River. The tracks are long gone. In their place are scenic gardens lining a spacious walking path that all seems to float thirty feet in the air. ON THE HIGH LINE is a collection of hundreds of photographs both of the “magical” path that soars like a carpet belonging to Ali Baba, and the views from the path that offer a different perspective to those who may be a bit blasé about their town.
But this is more than just a collection of photos and essays; this is a true guide to the wonders that are to be seen both on and off the walkway. Detailing the wide variety of plant life that gives this urban oasis much of its appeal, you can also indulge yourself in writings about and pictures of the architecture revealed from this heightened vantage point.
This Goodreads winner is a thoroughly detailed guide to one of America’s newest treasures and gives any reader the opportunity to visit the sterling results of a city’s attempt to revitalize itself one neighborhood at a time. A tour de force tour guide if I have ever seen one.
If you are not familiar with the High Line, you are in for a treat. It is one and a half miles of re-purposed abandoned elevated railroad track on Manhattan’s West Side that parallels the Hudson River. The tracks are long gone. In their place are scenic gardens lining a spacious walking path that all seems to float thirty feet in the air. ON THE HIGH LINE is a collection of hundreds of photographs both of the “magical” path that soars like a carpet belonging to Ali Baba, and the views from the path that offer a different perspective to those who may be a bit blasé about their town.
But this is more than just a collection of photos and essays; this is a true guide to the wonders that are to be seen both on and off the walkway. Detailing the wide variety of plant life that gives this urban oasis much of its appeal, you can also indulge yourself in writings about and pictures of the architecture revealed from this heightened vantage point.
This Goodreads winner is a thoroughly detailed guide to one of America’s newest treasures and gives any reader the opportunity to visit the sterling results of a city’s attempt to revitalize itself one neighborhood at a time. A tour de force tour guide if I have ever seen one.
June 14, 2014
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This is an excellent guidebook to the High Line, a NYC tourist attraction. The photographs are beautiful and it contains a wealth of information.
I have some minor quibbles. I think all of the general information about the High Line and other High Lines in the US should be in one place instead of being interspersed in various sections. For example, both a map comparing today's Manhattan with that of the Civil War and an article about other high lines in the US are in the section entitled 16th-20th Streets.
I also think it would have been beneficial to include information about how to get to the High Line, e.g., which bus routes and subways have stops near its entrances.
All in all though, this is an excellent book!
This is an excellent guidebook to the High Line, a NYC tourist attraction. The photographs are beautiful and it contains a wealth of information.
I have some minor quibbles. I think all of the general information about the High Line and other High Lines in the US should be in one place instead of being interspersed in various sections. For example, both a map comparing today's Manhattan with that of the Civil War and an article about other high lines in the US are in the section entitled 16th-20th Streets.
I also think it would have been beneficial to include information about how to get to the High Line, e.g., which bus routes and subways have stops near its entrances.
All in all though, this is an excellent book!
August 20, 2014
Really didn't read this book in one day, but I could have if I'd had the time. I've been on the High Line once & can't wait to go back with this book in hand. Anyone going to NYC must make the effort to visit the High Line. It's truly beautiful, different & amazing. Ms. Lafarge has done an excellent job of making the High Line come to life.
July 28, 2015
This book didn't answer my own question. Start walking at Port Authority, or take a cab to Gransewhatever street.
I plan to hit the High Line and the new Whitney in one trip to NYC in the autumn. Wander the Whitney and walk back, or walk the High Line and stumble around the Whitney? What to do? What to do?
I'll just have to hit the Friends of the High Line website.
I plan to hit the High Line and the new Whitney in one trip to NYC in the autumn. Wander the Whitney and walk back, or walk the High Line and stumble around the Whitney? What to do? What to do?
I'll just have to hit the Friends of the High Line website.
November 9, 2021
This is a book I can see picking up again and again. It is beautiful, well laid out and informative, but not in an overdone or false way. The author clearly loves the high line, and respects the various aspects of it. The book cherishes wildlife and diversity of the park.
May 17, 2014
I am going to read the old version but I'd love to win the new version from GoodReads!
May 7, 2014
A good guide to the High Line. Packed with colour photos. It covers all aspects - not just the gardens but what you can see and what used to be there. I haven't been but I feel like I have now.
May 29, 2014
Very colorful and enjoyable to read. I am now wanting to plan a vacation because of this book. Beautiful pictures and scenery. Very happy to add this to my collection. Thank you for the giveaway!
June 6, 2014
A coffee-table type book, I think. Would be a nice gift. Informative and beautiful to look at!
December 27, 2014
I would love to visit this park, and the author does a good job of describing both the park and its history and creation.
May 29, 2015
I thought this a good book with wonderful pictures and an excellent history of the area the High Line covers and the making of the High Line. Gardeners would especially like this book.
October 9, 2015
Pretty photos, with then and now comparison, with a lot of interesting articles, with a useful map....Great companion on walking this landmark in NY!
January 21, 2016
Amazing photographs capture the true essence and beauty of the High Line. Also contains interesting snippets of history.
April 6, 2016
Mainly pictures of the High Line with interesting tidbits about the buildings surrounding the tracks and their histories. Nice horticultural design noted.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews