Elephants Roaming: [The High Line] Building Social Capacity for Sustainability

The High Line is most commonly known for its success as either an urban renewal project or a development for a public open space, but it is much more than that. As an education, health and culture targeted development, the project answers to these goals by providing for the whole community, encouraging public engagement and stewardship of the High Line.

Providing the space for gathering, learning and engaging, the High Line offers various programs that build on the experiences emphasizing the uniqueness of the High Line as well as the vision to create a diverse community around its neighborhood. Family programs include activities such as musical performances and hands-on workshops for family interaction. Garden programs invite those interested in gardening and horticulture to participate and learn, especially from the park’s own planting design that is implemented specifically to the native nature of the site.

The many events that take place on the High Line create fresh new experiences in this unique space. Park visitors may stroll along the park to enjoy the Winter Snow Sculpt-Off, or picnic on sundecks while enjoying both the cityscape and the Hudson River Park during the Spring Benefit Event. Even Stargazing on the High Line is unlike any other experiences when gazing at the stars from an elevated railroad.

Partnering with school programs and community centers, the High Line offers many educational programs that encourage outdoor classroom learning, considerably available to lower-income residents. Through the park and its surroundings, students can explore social studies, science, English language art, math and arts. In addition, the park offers talks and tours of the industrial and architectural history of the neighborhood, creating understanding for the historical past in which the community is built upon.

This public open space also involves many art and design programs that provide opportunities for artists to showcase their works. Exhibitions are generally very site-specific and inspired by the distinctiveness of the High Line, such as the upcoming Space Available rooftop exhibition Beck that encourages park visitors to reconsider the water towers, exhaust pipes, and other integral components of the cityscape that can be viewed along the High Line. The Emerging Artist Program works with young and early-career artists to create art inspired by the High Line. Unique cultural identity recognition is shaped from the both the observers and artists that interpret and display their awareness of the neighborhood.

The High Line has strengthened the strong sense of identity that represents the local community. It has drawn visitors from other areas in New York to contribute and participate in for it connects them with the vibrant, dynamic and distinct culture of their city they would identify with. The park has also attracted tourists from all over to experience this unique cultural identity of Manhattan.

The High Line has inspired many other projects through its design and urban revitalization. It has spurred neighborhood development, creating initiatives for surrounding development. It has brought in retailers and companies that aim to capitalize off the park as well as municipal facilities intended to serve the growing community. This linear corridor connects the commercial and residential areas, weaving the neighborhood together through a common and integrated understanding towards the shared public space.

Many job opportunities have been created with the development of this project, from those involved with the construction of the park, the following operations and maintenance management, to the employment needed for surrounding projects. This is an ongoing process for employment opportunities will be continuously provided as the neighborhood grows. The High Line Youth Corps is a job training program where the students learn and work with the High Line, preparing themselves for future professions and interests. This program ensures a prospective future for the next generation.

Fitting specifically into its community context, the project provides much more than just a green space, meeting place, or alternative transportation route. The High Line resonates with people from various realms as it encompasses and enhances their needs and values. The change and development comes from within the community, building on local resources and strengths, creating a promising community that will continue to grow and sustain on itself in the future.

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