High Line Part 2

The second part of the High Line which runs from 20^th Street to 30^th Street opened in 2011. 

It has a very different feel than the first part.  I read a funny story in the paper that said that the designers of part one were surprised by the fact that many visitors wanted to sit and stay a while so they added additional seating to part two.  Clearly they were not New Yorkers.  New York apartments are small, so people are always looking for places to hang out outside on nice days.

Because the surrounding area was more built up than it was around the first section, there are several very narrow corridors. 

They took advantage of the opportunity and flanked a narrow walk with tall trees for a forest feel. 

But in other places you can literally look in the cool little balconies of people who live next door. 

Some of the new buildings going up have been deliberately posed close to the park so the owners can enjoy the park view. 

In one area where a bit more space was available they put in a small seating area for concerts. 

And a bit further north they even managed to fit in some lawn, which was immediately occupied by a variety of folks enjoying the day. 

This section also features some interesting art.  This piece, which I loved, was part sculpture, part bird feeder.  Very clever.

And last, but certainly least there are these talking water fountains that thank visitors for staying hydrated.  Very weird.

The final section includes a large open space so plans include a playground.  Photos available in 2014.  Check back then!

Ciao

PJ
 

© 2012 PJ Lehrer

High Line Part 1

This week’s newspapers carried the welcome news that construction on the final section of the High Line has begun.  It will cost $90 million to construct and will open in 2014. 

So this seemed like a good time to share some photos from part one.  Part one runs from Gansevoort Street to 20^th Street.  It opened in 2009 and it was an immediate hit. 

It brought green to an area of the city that previously had none and provides a unique perspective for viewing the surrounding area. 

The park weaves around the old railroad tracks and between various buildings taking advantage of whatever space was available when building started in 2006. 

At various points, buildings, like this hotel, straddle it too. 

It gives the park a very organic feel. 

Part one also has some terrific views of the Statue of Liberty

and The Empire State Building. 

While further south it has lovely river views and tables and chairs for lunch breaks.  There are some vendors nearby but of course the big draw is Chelsea Markets just below on 15^th Street.

These lounge chairs are fan favorites and rarely found empty.

All in all, it’s a great park, well worth a visit. 

Ciao
PJ

© 2012 PJ Lehrer

Embroidery: Nymph

This piece from the Figures series was inspired by the water nymphs in Greek mythology. 

The photo of the reeds was taken at the National Botanical Gardens in Washington D.C.

Ciao

PJ
 

© 2012 PJ Lehrer

2000: The Summer of the Cows

At least once a year Manhattan has a display of public art to keep the locals and tourists amused.  Some are extremely creative and become huge hits like The Gates in Central Park. 

Other efforts, like the waterfall under the Brooklyn Bridge are less successful. 

But I think my all time favorite were the cows. 

It wasn’t exactly an original idea.  The inspiration was a lion display in Zurich in 1986. 

But the idea really took off when they switched to cows in 1999 in Chicago. 

NY was next in 2000. 

Now over 50 countries have had their own cow parades. 

It was lots of fun walking around the city looking for them and taking photos. 

Each cow was more creative than the last. 

But of course my favorite was this little swimmer! 

At the end of the summer, the cows were auctioned off for charity. 

They raised $1.3 million. 

Not bad at all.

Ciao

PJ

© 2012 PJ Lehrer

Hydrangeas

Like many gardeners, I love hydrangeas. 

They flower throughout the heat of the summer, when all the spring flowers are long gone.  And sometimes they last through the fall.

They also love shade – another rarity for flowering plants. 

 

The traditional varieties come in white  --  

 

and pink/purple blue. The color of the latter depends upon the acidity of the soil. 

 

Higher acidity results in blue flowers,

 

more alkaline soil yields pink flowers. 

 

In addition to the standard varieties, there are two other breeds that are lovely. 

 

This lace cap is from Central Park’s Conservatory Garden on 105^th Street. 

 

And this oak hydrangea is from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.

 

Ciao

PJ

© 2012 PJ Lehrer