Reinvesting the former stations intended for the transport of goods in real parks for the urban planning of the future in the heart of Manhattan, this is the crazy bet launched by Robert Hammond in 1999, which today is enjoying resounding success. The “High Line”, set up in four districts of New York: Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Meatpacking and Hudson yards, attracts more than 8 million visitors a year and is now one of the essential points of the city. i24 NEWS was privileged to speak with High Line co-founder Robert Hammond at the annual Global Wellness Summit held last week in Tel Aviv.
What is the “high line”?
The “High Line” is a 1.45km continuous greenway with more than 500 species of plants and trees.
“It took about 10 years to convince people of the need for this project; at first they thought the idea was totally crazy. So we had to show them the value of maintaining the” High Line “and then raise money to build parks. and find a suitable designer, “said Robert Hammond, a i24 NEWS.
During decades of disuse, the “High Line” faced demolition threats but, inspired by the beauty of this hidden landscape, Joshua David and Robert Hammond founded Friends of the high linea non-profit conservation organization to support conservation and reuse as a public space.
In addition to public space and gardens, the “High Line” hosts a diverse array of public programs, community engagements, artwork and shows open to all.
The “High Line” is a former elevated station where freight trains running on street-level tracks, operated by the New York Central Railroad, delivered food to Lower Manhattan, but created dangerous conditions for pedestrians. In 1910, more than 540 people were killed there by trains. Transforming each section of the High Line from an abandoned railway line into a beautiful public landscape took not only years of planning, community involvement and design work, but also more than two years of building each section.
Exceptional parks
According to Robert Hammond, many reasons today explain the attraction of the public to these unusual parks.
“First of all the beautiful design you can admire there is incredible, the wild plantations give the impression of being in the middle of nature when in reality it is an idealized nature; the flowers grow there every week, we have a flowering calendar that starts from February to December, “he explains.
The fact that these parks cross the city at height offers visitors a different way of seeing New York, between old and new buildings.
“The linearity of these parks gives them a very special aspect, which is actually what people love because they can take long walks or even their first dates there because there is a lot of animation, art and activities. These parks connect the different ones. neighborhoods to each other and it’s very convenient to access the restaurants or museums there, without crossing the street, “says Robert Hammond.
“Most people want to get away from the city, but this project is actually part of the city. You are neglecting everything, people sit and watch the traffic without being there, it gives a new perspective and a chance to appreciate the city in an in different way, it also gives a certain well-being away from the stress of the city below, many couples especially come to take their wedding photos because it is an exceptional place, out of time, despite being in the heart of New York, “He continued.
Various floral compositions
Over the seasons, different atmospheres and compositions are created. Hundreds of plant species evoke the patterns of forests and grasslands. The design of the “High Line” is the result of a collaboration between James Corner Field Operations, Diller Scofidio, Renfro and designer Piet Oudolf, it is inspired by the self-sown landscape that has grown wild for 25 years after the train stops.
Construction began with the removal of everything that was on the structure, including railroad tracks, gravel ballast, earth and plantings, debris, and a thin layer of concrete. After removal, the steel elements of the “High Line” were sandblasted to remove the original lead paint. Upon completion of the sandblasting operation, the steel was repainted to match the original “High Line” color.
The walkways, made with prefabricated concrete slabs or slabs, were placed on a series of pedestals and the elements of the irrigation and electrical infrastructure were installed in the void. In addition, energy-saving LED lighting elements were placed to illuminate the park paths at night.
“We have created a real network and other designers are developing it in several other cities around the world. It is part of future urban planning. Today the only places to develop parks are old infrastructures such as stations or railways, and the fact that it connects people, neighborhoods. and business is revolutionary, “said Robert Hammond.
About six months ago, Robert Hammond was President and Chief Strategy Officer of Therme Group US, which creates the world’s most advanced wellness resorts, leveraging the complex interplay of nature, technology and culture.
Caroline Haïat is a journalist for the French site of i24NEWS
