Day 2 in New York City consisted of more visits to the Park. This time round my host suggested a completely new concept of parks – one an elevated one on an artificial island and the other a re-purposed freight train railway track .

Changing cities

Cities have a life of their own. In spite of being inanimate, they change with time.

Starting out as tiny village clusters they grow into busy towns, important sea ports, seats of power, centres of learning or industrial hubs depending on the dominant activity of the place. Mumbai, for instance, which was once a malaria infested conglomeration of 7 islands has morphed into one contiguous mass with the larger part of the city part of of the mainland.

Its initial beginning as a fishing village transformed into a textile town and then later into a thriving sea port. However, even this ‘avatar’ has changed since the JNPT port has come across the harbour. This has left a large part of the eastern seaboard bereft of activity with its numerous godowns that remain empty.

Our city is still trying to come up with a master plan to effectively utilise this space.

Luckily New York has managed to revitalize its former docklands and Hudson Yards and its neighbouring industrial area of warehouses is once again buzzing with activity. The newly developed commercial and residential buildings that exist cheek by jowl with the old structures is a clever use of urban space especially in a city that is so densely populated and real estate so valuable.

Little Island and the High Line Park are two unique concepts that give back to the city the much needed green lungs for the public to enjoy. As a matter of fact, it is amazing how the Air Quality in such a thickly populated city is not only breathable but also boasts a bright blue sky!

Little Island

After a quick breakfast of freshly baked sourdough bread picked up from the local bakery, we set off for Little Island the newest public park in the city.

Our original plan was to actually pick up a bite at Market 57, at the newly opened food hall at Pier 57. We should have eaten at passed the food hall at Chelsea which was lively and happening but we thought that Food court at the James Beard Foundation would have been a better option. That was a tactical error on our part because by the time we reached the Pier, the sun was blazing. Furthermore, the seeming lack of activity deterred us from going ahead and after a quick tour of the Little Island park, we began our walk on the High Line Park.

Little Island Park is an artificial park created on Pier 55 in the Hudson River. A series of upturned umbrella shaped pylons provide the base for this unique nature park where native plants are specifically grown in order to maintain or rather re-generate the natural flora and fauna of the place.

Even though the sun was beating down, the park was full of people. Obviously, most of them were tourists like me who were bent on getting the most out of their visit to a New York despite the unusually hot September heat wave.

Because of the blazing sunshine and oppressive heat, we couldn’t manage to spend more than half an hour or so but we did manage to absorb some of the vibe especially with the visitor who thumped away some foot tapping jazz music on the bright yellow piano.

We did have an option of going to the Whitney Museum overlooking the park, but I was too lazy to cross the road and have a look at its latest exhibition, preferring to see street art with its architectural beauties and street sculptures. Perhaps I’ll leave New York Museums for another visit.

The High Line

With the docks moved out, the existing railway line was converted to a park. The 2.3 km elevated park is a unique way of seeing the city bustling below. Once again plants that are native to the area make up the garden.

Despite the heat, it was a treat to walk in High Line Park. Not only was the flora interesting but the buildings alongside with their murals were equally stunning.

We began our walk with a quick gelato from L’arte del gelato. What bliss it was to have the cool ice-cream slip down our parched throats.

To break the monotony of walking down a railway track, there are some interesting features such as the Diller-Von Furstenberg sun deck where you can dip your toes in the very subtle water fountain that is specially welcome on a hot day. Or you could just laze around on the loungers scattered there.

We stopped for a while at the 10th Avenue Square and overlook to catch our breath and stare at the city traffic driving underneath. There were many people who took a break like us and I’m sure on a cooler day it must be fun to watch the movement on a busy road.

The Chelsea Thicket with its shaded pathway was a welcome relief from the heat. It was literally like walking through an airconditioned passageway with the thick foliage blocking out the glare and heat of the sun

The Edge ,literally leaves you standing on the edge, looking down at the world below you. We didn’t visit this viewing gallery because I’m not fascinated by aerial views being a high-rise dweller myself. Besides, I often feel that pre-booking etc calls for too much planning and kind of kills the spontaneity of travelling. I like to go where my mood fancies rather than a water tight itinerary.

The Shed an art centre in the square opposite the Mall for instance, looks like an inflated cube dressed up in a quilted puffer jacket!

Similarly, the Vessel, a watch tower of sorts is made up of inter connected staircases, making a honeycomb like conical structure. Unfortunately, it is still not open to the public so one has to make do with admiring this ‘sculpture’ from afar.

The High Line Park , my host explained to me was the brainchild New Yorkers like Diane von Furstenberg a grande dame of fashion credited with the invention of the wrap dress. With an open air viewing gallery over a busy street, whimsical sculptures, bits of the old railway line, murals peeping out from nearby buildings and even some loungers to sunbathe for those so inclined, a walk down the High Line is a great way to spend a few hours out in the open.

And for those avid shoppers a spanking new Mall with high end shops and more eating options is the added incentive to make this park another must do activity in the city of New York.

Free docent-led public tours are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from May to October, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from November to April.

Before the date of your visit, make sure to review park rules below.

Ciao