Last week, Friends of the High Line gave away 600 free tickets to tour the northern end of the High Line. The available tickets, which were offered via email to the FHL's mailing list, were snapped up in mere minutes. That particular section is the closest to the river and has the most spectacular views. Whether or not it will be part of the finished park is still undecided. FHL is trying to arrange for more tickets, so keep checking your email on Wednesday for another offer.
Alex Feleppa, Director of Horticulture at The Horticultural Society of New York, said that he and other HSNY members have donated their services to FHL by identifying various species of plants that have taken root up on the elevated rails. He explained that most of them were brought either by birds or wind. Some of the plants on the HL are easily controlled invasive species, but most of them turned out to be native flowers.
Horticulturalists and landscapers focus on the microclimates. The U.S. is broken down into different climate zones. While the greater New York City area is in the 6a to 7b range, parts of the city are both colder and warmer. Feleppa said breezes from the river, especially since the HL is elevated, can make it colder for plants. Pollutants also change the temperature of the soil and the air.
One of the hardiest trees in the New York area is the London Planetree. This was the tree that best survived the pollution of England's coal-driven industrial revolution. "It can survive an extra load of carbon dioxide," Feleppa said. "The bark is exfoliating so it sheds layers over time. The tree is actually self-cleaning."
If you can't make the High Line Tour, you can tour the custom-designed space of The Horticultural Society in their new location on 37th Street. Part of this weekend's Open House New York, tours for HSNY are this Saturday, October 6th at 12, 1 and 2 pm. Contact OHNY for more details.
Does anyone know what they are building next to the Highline on 23rd street and 10th (next to Highline 519 and the Half King)? Will it be an entrance to the highline or another building?
Posted by: msg | October 02, 2007 at 09:57 AM