Megan Gebhard Feature article Word count: 1354

A decade ago, the High Line railway, a historic elevated freight railway that runs through the West Side of Manhattan, was overgrown by an assortment of hardy native grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees and looked like something out of a dystopian novel. Id seen pictures of it before. It was enchantingthe idea that nature had reclaimed the tracks in the middle of modern, bustling New York. Wildflowers lined the tracks, vividly contrasting with the blackened steel frame of the railway. Unclaimed and abandoned, the flowering tracks floated thirty feet above the bustle of Chelseas neighborhoods and industrial warehouses, a silent relic of the past. And today, though still flowering, the High Line is silent no longer. Dave and Grace Poulsen both moved to New York just as the park was opened, and the park has been part of their lives since they arrived in the city. We used to go a lot when we were dating, says Grace, who used to live in the nearby Flatiron district. It seemed like a hidden park. Chelsea is such a cool area and it was fun to walk around and l ook at expensive shops. But all of the sudden, you really had a reason to go over there. The Poulsens arent alone in their enthusiasm. Over 3.7 million people visited the park in 2011. New York has its fair share of famous parks, and the High Line is quickly solidifying its place among them.
Comment [EB1]: Id love a brief, more concrete image of the highline here; see later comments

Rise and Fall of the Urban Cowboy The High Line railway was originally built in the 1930s to replace the dangerous street-level railroad that transported goods to the warehouses in the Meatpacking district.

The west side was notoriously called Death Avenue due to the large number of accidents between the trains and other street traffic. Men on horses, arguably the forefathers of the urban cowboy, were hired to ride in front of the trains and warn pedestrians and street traffic of the approaching train. This group of riders famously became known as the West Side Cowboys and were arguably the first urban cowboys. With the building of the High Line, the West Side Cowboys became obsolete, and with the growth of the highway system, the High Line, in turn, became a thing of the past. Three train cars full of frozen turkeys in 1980that was the last load the trains carried. In 1999, the city slated the railway for demolition. A few people protested, but many more were in favor of demolition. But the voices that won out were the voices of Joshua David and Robert Hammond, founders of the non-profit organization Friends of the High Line. The two men proposed to turn the dilapidated steel structure into a public park. And today, through their efforts and the efforts of hundreds of contributors, the High Line is a bustling line of activity once more.
Formatted: Font: Italic Comment [EB2]: I think this paragraph could use a broader topic sentence at the start

A Park of the Future Sure, having a park thirty feet above the city is a novelty. But the innovations of the High Line go beyond simple novelty. The park has sparked a new movement. People are beginning to look at abandoned cityscapes in a new light. Cities are discovering that they can use old structures in a more efficient and creative way. Across the United States, cities are looking at their old railways not as structures that have outlived their use, but as structures with endless potential and possibility.

The Friends of the High Line is a forward-thinking organization. They do their best to keep the park eco-friendly and to keep waste and use of chemicals to a minimum. The park is essentially a living green roof. The plant beds are designed with sloped cracks between and beneath them to direct storm runoff to water the parks two hundred species of plants. The High Line creates its own homegrown compost from the plant waste generated from the parks gardens and is currently looking into starting a partnership with local food businesses to use the business food waste for compost. The park inspires a greater level involvement from the public. Every April, hundreds of volunteers help with the annual Spring Cutback. The old plant growth is left alone all winter to provide a variable landscape during the winter that is reminiscent of the wild landscape that wintered on the High Line during its years of abandonment. Last April, nearly three hundred volunteers worked fifteen hundred hours over the course of six weeks to cut away the shaggy winter cover and make room for the new spring growth.

The High Line Today Today, as you walk through the 1.45-mile park that stretches over twenty blocks of Manhattans west side, you can still see reminders of the parks past. Many of the plants selected for the park were species that grew naturally on the High Line during its disuse, recreating the magical imagery that had captured the imagination of so many people. Look down and you might see the original train track running underneath your sneakers Exploring the park, you will see modern additions to the railway. The High Line features art from both international and local artists. The Friends of the High Line works
Comment [EB3]: I think this paragraph should go at the beginning of the essay, right after the second paragraph, with a transition added. I had a really hard time envisioning the highline before this part, and I think moving this great paragraph up would really help. Comment [EB4]: Starting the section with this sentence would work well I think.

with new artists every year to add new artwork along the park. Another fun addition is Tenth Avenue Square, the bridge that spans Tenth Avenue. The bridge is set up with bleacher seating that looks out to a large glass window, through which you can watch the Tenth Avenue traffic putter by. A wading pool, which begins near Fifteenth Street, is a favorite for kids and adults during spring and summer, and is a fun place to unlace your shoes and take a walk in the water. Dave Poulsen described the impression the park made on his friend Nate, who moved to New York in the sweltering heat of July. Nate saw the water feature, waterspilling out onto the half of the sidewalk for nearly a block, and made a B-line for it. He was so excited by it he took his shoes off and started walking through it in his bare feet and was like, This is so awesome. Dave continued, Somebody thought of that and executed it in a way that made someone respond to it. Like the bustling trains that daily rode the High Line, the park is in constant motion with a momentum and energy that cant be stopped. The park has nine entrances, four with elevator access, spread throughout Manhattans west side. There are lawns to lounge on, platforms that offer an abundance of views of the Hudson river and the Empire State building, and a plethora of park benches to sit on and relax for a bit. The park contracts vendors to sell affordable and distinctive food. For a delicious treat, stop by the Peoples Pop, a popular popsicle stand that has practically reinvented the popsicle. The stand uses local fruits and herbs to create nothing short of popsicle masterpieces. Park goers who want to do more than putter around the walkways can join in a variety of activities held both regularly and annually. If you want to learn more about the

details of the parkhistory, construction, horticulture, and suchthere are free tours every week. Starting in April, join the Amateur Astronomers Association of New York every Tuesday night to enjoy stargazing through high-powered telescopes. On April 22nd, the park celebrates Earth Day, which marks the end of the their annual Spring Cut back. Earth Day is celebrated with performances, a ceremony to commemorate the volunteers, and talks with the High Line gardeners. The park cuts through two vivacious communities of Chelsea: the Meatpacking District and West Chelsea. Each area is bustling with its own distinct crowd. In 1900, the Meatpacking District was home to 250 meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses. Today, the district is much more lively. The old warehouses and plants have been converted into a variety of photography and design studios, fashion boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs. The district is famous of its happening nightlife. For a sampling of the districts diversity, visit the Chelsea Market. Just off the High Line Park at West 16th Street, the enclosed food court and shopping mall is home to a diverse selection of restaurants, bars, and boutiques. What sets Chelsea Market apart is that its original factory interior remains untouched, giving the market a rugged and historic feel. If you are of a more artistic leaning, you can visit West Chelsea, which has the claim of having the worlds largest concentration of art galleries. There are hundreds of art galleries that showcase a variety of artcontemporary, modern, and fine art, paintings, photography, prints and sculpture. Theres a lot of diversity and creative energy to draw from such a community. Friends of the High Line works to channel that energy into the park.
Formatted: Font: Italic Comment [EB5]: WC = This is a great word, but I you have used it previously so I think you may want to choose a new one.

Whether you live down the street or you are seeing New York for the first time, the High Line offers an opportunity to connect with the city and its people on a higher levelone that is thirty feet off the ground.
Comment [EB6]: This is well-written, but its also repeating things youve already said almost word for word. Is there a way you can freshen up the conclusion somehow?