Last evening I finished a good day of writing and went to Manhattan to walk the High Line, a new park in NYC - a refurbished raised rail line that winds its way over streets and intersections and through buildings along the west side. My walk just before sunset was crowded with New Yorkers marveling it for the first time as well. It features cooling ocean breezes, paths, custom benches and beautiful native plants and flowers that you can actually smell. I think it was quiet up there but that might have been an illusion. There were no birds, but I did see a bumble bee. It is fun to observe New Yorkers up here, who are looking down to observe other New Yorkers. Part of the park even features a small graded amphitheatre where the stage is a glass wall for observing people and traffic below.
I descended the High Line to become one more of the observable, and wandered through the skinny streets in the West Village and found some yummy cheap food. Then I lined up at the Village Vanguard to hear the Fred Hersch Trio. Wow. I became a fan a few years ago of pianist Fred Hersch, especially his jazz arrangements of classical repertoire. It was a sell-out crowd of very appreciative fans. The trio was fantastic, and on the break I met Mr. Hersch and had a chance to speak with him for a couple of minutes about his music.
Today in Brooklyn there is a change in the rhythm: there are block parties everywhere. Many roads are blocked, traffic is slower, almost non-existent. Families are out in front of their homes. Kids take back the streets and ride their bikes, bbq's are lined up in the shade of the ancient trees, and a lone member of the NYPD leans on a rail talking to neighbours. The festivities are casual - neighbours meet, eat, share, laugh and chat with each another.
Back in the attic, the noise from the air conditioners and fans are blocking out the various flavours of music rising up to the window. The temperature is rising, though it is evening. It is hard trying to work in this heat and noise - no breeze, no bees - I'm missing the High Line already.
I've wondered, did they have to reinforce the structure when the city decided to designate it a park? I know it was already a park before being officialy designated but since it fell into disuse, wouldn't part of it have crumbled?
ReplyDeleteNo they didn't need to reinforce it, just had to clean it off, get the lead paint removed, and check the concrete that fills the metal pillars. They redid some waterproofing. The structure was built to hold two fully loaded freight trains, so a bit of landscaping, people, and their small dogs shouldn't pose a problem.
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