Early this year, I discovered a really cool initiative to re-purpose an out-of-use freight railway and turn it into a beautiful, raised walkway. You can see images and videos of this project in it’s concept stage in my original post.

I got an opportunity to experience the High Line first-hand a month ago and was far from disappointedd. Though the website, blog and image gallery do paint an impressive picture and give insight into the history of this initiative, I gotta say, nothing could have prepared me for this experience. Well let’s take a walk shall we?

Here we are approaching the Gansevoort St. Entrance, the southern most point of the High Line; diners and small cafes rest comfortably next to elevator and staircase entrances.

Only a third of the High Line was completed on this visit.

Just… wow… I love how they incorporated the original rails into the walkways and garden.

The walkways tapered into the garden areas while the benches seamlessly push upward in the same fashion.

Looks like ITC Lubalin Graph Std Rockwell (thanks Greg) is the typeface of choice for the High Line. I love how the name of the street you’re above is engraved in the hand rail (top picture).

Unfortunately, all the deck chairs were taken, looks pretty cozy though. Some are attached to train wheels which can be rolled along the exposed tracks??
Probably not, but a fun idea.

A little ways in, you can rest in this cut-out seating area. Looks like a nice place to spend some quality time with a book.
Oh, there was a magician there that day too…

The first section ends with a nice little garden area and a view of the sunset over the Hudson. I can’t wait to go back for the second section!
Overall, it was a delightful experience. A leisurely stroll above the city is a nice break from the bustle below. If your in Manhattan anytime soon, I highly recommend checking it out.

]]> http://asmith3.com/blog/2009/visiting-new-yorks-high-line/feed/ 4 http://asmith3.com/blog/2009/new-logo-design-for-twitter-design-contest/ http://asmith3.com/blog/2009/new-logo-design-for-twitter-design-contest/#comments Fri, 15 May 2009 21:46:40 +0000 Avery Smith http://asmith3.com/blog/?p=171

The good folks over at ANTREPO are holding a little design competition to design a new twitter logo. The prizes include “our Movie Poster Set+Container Color System Poster set+Citycab Poster Set+Sans serif Poster set (19 posters, limited edition, hand signed) Also maybe twitter [will] see our effort and they may want to use one of them.” Not too mention a chance to flex your logo muscle a litle and have some fun.

Deadline: May 27, 2009
International voting begins: June 1, 2009

noun Fights caused directly or indirectly from common problems with Christmas lights.

And that’s just my first word! Check out Addictionary and see what you can come with or vote, comment or add to other submissions. Thank you exljbris for the excellent display face,  museo (which by is what I used to set my logotype).

Stretching 1.45 miles long and rising 18-30 feet above such neighborhoods as Hell’s Kitchen/Hudson Yards, West Chelsea, and the Gansevoort Market Historic District, The High Line (built in the 1930′s) was originally just a freight train line connecting factories and warehouses.

Falling into disuse in the 1980′s, the High Line is now in the process of renewal thanks to Field Operations (landscape architects) and Diller Scofidio + Renfro (architects) into a public open place and recreation area.

Friends of the High Line

The Highline Slideshow

Highline Project on Flickr

Banksy

module two: water

Get out your pen and paper, because this educational series from BBC (recently picked up by adultswim) helps to explore and understand the world around us.

Look Around You

Here are some pics of the New addition to the Scraper Clan.

Well Done Mr. and Mrs. Scraper.

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