High Line at the Rail Yards

On March 31, 2015November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Playgrounds, Promenades, Site FurnitureLeave a comment

On a recent March weekend while visiting New York City, I had the opportunity to walk the newest section of the High Line that opened last September. This half-mile long segment wraps around a large storage yard for commuter trains, between West 30th and West 34th Streets, with a nice view of the Hudson River along part of its length. The final 1/3 mile of this new phase is currently open as an interim walkway, to be completed once the neighboring Hudson Yards mixed-use development is built on a platform over the train yard.

One can now walk the entire 1.5-mile length of this former freight train trestle. It’s become a very popular place for both locals and visitors, with a steady stream of walkers even on the cool and windy day when I was there. The High Line ranks as one of my favorite urban parks, with a creative design that incorporates many references to its historic railway usage. I also enjoy the numerous interesting views of the city from 30 feet above the streets.

Be sure to check out my other two blog posts on this terrific linear park: Up on the High Line and The High Line, Section 2.

The Grasslands Grove features a variety of “peel-up” furnishings, including benches, a picnic table, a see-saw rocker, and a chime feature for children. This signature style of site amenity can be seen along many parts of the High Line.

Stacked seating borders the section that parallels West 30th Street, near a new building that is under construction to the north. The landscape near the High Line in this area will be changing over the next few years as tall buildings transform the low-lying rail yards site.

The high line’s original rail tracks are exposed and now function as walkways in three places along the route, referencing the park’s former use. Aggregate bonded with an adhesive was installed between the ties, creating a very firm and level surface, accessible to wheelchairs.

A row of benches flanks the 11th Avenue “Bridge” (to the left of the photo), a section of walkway that arches somewhat above the surrounding surfaces. The rail yards can be seen to the right.

The Pershing Square Beams: A children’s play area featuring an exposed portion of the High Line’s original framework, and also including entertaining elements such as periscopes and a “gopher hole”. In the warmer months, perennial plantings sprout up in the spaces between some of the beams.

The interim walkway includes the original tracks with self-seeded plants (as the High Line had appeared for many years after the trains stopped running in 1980). It becomes a lush green linear meadow during the warmer seasons. The walkway portion is surfaced with bonded aggregate, flush with the intersecting rail lines. The High Line curves to the right to run parallel with the Hudson River in the distance.

Large stacked timbers serve as seating at this section of the interim walkway, somewhat reminiscent of oversized railroad ties.

The interim walkway slopes down to its terminus at West 34th Street.

Photos by Alice Webb

Public Art in Outdoor Spaces, Part II

On December 29, 2013November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Public Art2 Comments

I’ve encountered a variety of interesting art pieces in landscape settings ranging from urban to natural. Some are in parks and nature preserves, others are along city streets and alleys, and a few are in small town centers. Some integrate visually and thematically with their surroundings, and others stand alone. Below are a few favorites.

Cut-outs in a small panel (viewed through a scope) on New York City’s High Line transform this view of buildings into abstract shapes.

More art on the High Line: A modernistic wire structure with houses and seed/fruit trays for birds and insects seems to represent the intersection of city and nature, as does much of the High Line. A similar structure faces the opposite direction on the other side of the walkway.

These transparent facial profiles at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts, appear to symbolize the connection between people and nature.

Juxtaposition of “natural” and built forms – Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University in East Lansing

Painted optical illusion in New Haven, Connecticut, by Felice Varini – this shape is only visible when one stands at a specific point. As one progresses further down the alley, it no longer appears as four circles within a square.

Sculpture composed of various types of stone in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Granite sculpture in Eastport, Maine – a town whose principal industry is commercial fishing

Bas-relief piece in CityGarden – a sculpture park in St. Louis, Missouri

A deep discussion taking place in Montreal, Quebec

Colorful bench in Belfast, Maine

Whimsical piece in the Olson Family Garden at St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Photos by Alice Webb

Mid-Century Playgrounds – Imaginative Fun

On October 28, 2013November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Historic Preservation, Parks, Playgrounds1 Comment

Starting in the 1950s and extending into the ‘70s, playground design took a creative turn, away from the galvanized steel structures of yore. Instead of specifying manufactured pieces, designers began to customize entire play areas. Concrete, brick, and other hard materials were used extensively. Several playgrounds built in this style can be found in Central Park, New York City, (photos below). Some of these have been upgraded, maintaining the integrity of the original designs, while complying with today’s safety standards. I like the sculptural qualities and connectivity of the climbers and other features, in addition to the water play areas incorporated in several of the playgrounds. However, I found the spaces to be rather cold and drab in appearance. In my opinion, interspersing some low- and mid-sized plant materials throughout these playgrounds, (not just along the perimeters), would turn them into more inviting spaces and add play value to the sites.

Ancient Playground in Central Park, NYC, next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Adventure Playground in Central Park, NYC

Water play in the Adventure Playground

Hecksher Playground in Central Park, NYC

Hecksher Playground in Central Park (water play section)

Photos by Alice Webb

Columbus Circle – An Urban Oasis

On September 21, 2013November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, PlazasLeave a comment

The central islands of most traffic circles in the U.S. are just planted areas, at best, with no consideration for public use. To be fair, the majority are either too small or in areas with too little pedestrian activity to work well as park spaces. Columbus Circle in New York City, however, has neither of these limitations. It also has the benefit of traffic signals at its three crosswalks/entrances. This century-old site underwent a major transformation in 2005, when a barren traffic island with a tall monument to Christopher Columbus was reshaped and expanded into a much larger circular park. It’s truly an oasis in the city, where traffic noise is muffled by the sound of the fountains that border the pedestrian space, and groups of trees along the perimeter provide some visual separation from the surroundings.

View toward Columbus Circle’s central monument

Long, wide benches arc around the perimeter of the central plaza.

Terraced plant beds form the circle’s boundary.

One of three entrances into the circle

Photos by Alice Webb

Since I was only able to photograph the space from the ground and in daylight hours during a brief visit to the city, here are links to two sites with impressive photos from above, showing the entire circle during the day and also at night:

Columbus Circle in daylight
Columbus Circle at night

Teardrop Park – Nature in the City

On August 21, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Playgrounds3 Comments

During a recent trip to lower Manhattan in NYC, I had the opportunity to visit Teardrop Park. This little urban oasis in the Battery Park City neighborhood is situated between several high-rise residential buildings. It includes natural play areas in its southern half, and lawns and walkways to the north.

Much of the park was designed to represent a northeast forest environment, with rock outcrops, rolling hills, and lush (mostly native) vegetation. One of its prominent features is a vertical wall of stacked bluestone, arranged to resemble natural rock strata. This design includes water seepage through a section of the wall, forming icicles in winter.

In the middle of the children’s play area, a long slide is anchored into a rocky hillside and terminates in a large sand area. Nearby, there is a small sand play area for pre-school children, in addition to a water play zone for kids of all ages. Children and adults alike can also explore a wetland play path, where I observed a number of birds during my visit.

The sloping lawns to the north of the play areas are pleasant spaces for relaxation, and include several seating areas along the perimeter. There are also some more isolated seating/gathering spots along paths throughout the park. Despite the secluded nature of those areas, I felt very safe while there.

I was at the park on a Tuesday morning, so it was not packed with visitors. I would imagine that it attracts a lot more users during weekends and summer evenings, especially residents of the surrounding high-rises. The park provides many opportunities for imaginative play for kids, and serves as a pleasant environment for all.

Hillside slide with rock steps and overlook

Pre-school sand play area

Water play area

Wildlife in the water play area – the robin and the littlest boy are color-coordinated!

A seating area above the water play zone

Rock wall resembling natural strata

Portal through the rock wall

South (back) side of the rock wall portal

People relaxing in one of the lawn areas

The northern-most lawn area slopes toward the south to take advantage of the sun.

A small nook for imaginative play at one end of the wetland path

Photos by Alice Webb

Hudson River Park, Chelsea Section

On June 28, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Greenways, Parks, Public ArtLeave a comment

New York’s Hudson River Park has been built in phases, extending for several miles along the west edge of Manhattan. In mid-March I visited the Chelsea section, from Pier 62 to 29th Street.

Entrance area of the Chelsea Cove section of the park – this section includes extensive lawn areas, a concrete skate park, carousel, and walkways.

Picnic area near the entrance to Chelsea Cove

View of Pier 62, including a carousel with a green roof

Seating area on Pier 62 with “floating” lights

A walkway near the skate park (fenced area to the right)

The 11-mile long Hudson River Greenway runs adjacent to the park

Pier 64 features lawns, walkways, and seating

Linear section of the park north of Pier 64

Sculpture at 29th Street

Photos by Alice Webb

The 9/11 Memorial

On May 23, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Memorials1 Comment

I visited the 9/11 Memorial in New York City on a gloomy, gray day in mid-March, but the monochromatic colors of the pavement, buildings, leafless trees, and sky seemed fitting for this solemn and contemplative space. In warmer months, with the greening of the trees and lawn areas, the site is certain to have a somewhat different feel to it – one of renewal amid the remembrances of tragedy.

The 8-acre Memorial Plaza is punctuated by two reflecting pools, each an acre in size, in the locations of the former twin towers. Each pool is framed with dark bronze parapets which are inscribed with the names of the victims. On all four sides of each pool, water continuously falls 30 feet down into recessed areas, and then flows into smaller 30’ x 30’ voids in the center of each pool – in total, a representation of loss and absence.

Once the numerous trees in the plaza grow large enough so their canopies merge, visitors’ views will be directed horizontally, toward the memorial pools and elsewhere on the site. The plaza will then feel more enclosed, with the trees obscuring the distraction of the surrounding tall buildings as people approach the pools.

The Memorial is beautifully poignant, and the abstract minimalist design of the pools works very well in this case. I hope to return during a warmer time of year, to experience the site when the green hues complement the grays.

Names of victims are inscribed in bronze parapets surrounding the pools. This section of the South Pool includes the names of the first responders.

Water flows into a void in the center of each pool. At night, the waterfalls on the sides of the pools are lit from behind.

A portion of the Memorial Plaza with the South Pool in the background

The North Pool

The Memorial Glade is located to the left – a break in the tree canopy for gatherings and special ceremonies

Seating areas in the plaza

Part of the 9/11 Museum can be seen in the background. (The museum continues beneath the plaza.)

The trees, paving, lighting, and seating throughout the site are arranged in a visually-pleasing linear fashion.

Photos by Alice Webb

Pier 6 Playground at Brooklyn Bridge Park

On April 23, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Playgrounds1 Comment

Early in the spring, I visited a creatively-designed playground at the Pier 6 section of Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City. The day of my visit was unseasonably warm, so the playground was swarming with people. This play area is divided in several zones: an active area for school-age children with slides and climbers; a sand area for younger children with small climbing sculptures, play houses, and other elements; an area featuring numerous swing-sets situated between small hills; a water play area; and a natural vegetated area. I was pleased to see that much of the playground includes lots of plants – great for play, shade, and beauty!

A play structure and stepped seating are included in the school-age children’s zone, which is called Slide Mountain.

This is the longest of several slides located in Slide Mountain.

Play sculptures and wooden seating areas in Sandbox Village

Interactive play piece in Sandbox Village

Kids enjoy wooden play houses and other fun features

One of several swing-sets in Swing Valley

Swing Valley includes grassy hills along the walkways.

Unique water devices in The Water Lab (closed for the winter)

Another view of The Water Lab (closed for winter)

This natural area, which includes several paths and seating areas, is rather isolated from the other play zones. Very few people were visiting it when I was there. Fencing off the vegetated areas from access makes it less inviting to children also.

Photos by Alice Webb

The High Line, Section 2

On March 30, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Plants1 Comment

In mid-March I visited the second phase of New York City’s High Line Park, which opened last year. This ½-mile section is as delightful as the first part, with some of the same themes carried throughout, but also containing some unique and exciting features. My favorite area is the Fly-Over, where the walkway rises to eight feet above the high line surface. From this level, one travels through the canopies of trees planted below, and one can peer down to the view the various plantings on the “forest floor”. The Fly-Over also includes several viewing spurs, including one that overlooks 26th Street.

The photos below will give you a tour of this elevated linear park from the 30th Street terminus to 20th Street, where the first phase of the High Line connects with the second section. Enjoy your walk!

Radial seating flanks the curved, northern end of the High Line, Section 2

The Wild Flower Field along the northern section before spring cut-back

The elevated Fly-Over takes people through the tree canopies

One of several viewing spurs along the Fly-Over

View of the “forest floor” from the Fly-Over

Another “forest floor” view with railroad tracks – a reminder of the High Line’s history

People relax on the 26th Avenue viewing spur. The metal frame is a reference to the billboards that used to be mounted along the High Line – Now it frames the city scene or the people on the spur, depending on one’s vantage point.

A shifting section of walkway, “peel-up” bench, and restored Art Deco railing – recurring elements along the High Line

Stairs lead down to 23rd Street, with the elevated Lawn in the background. From the northern section of the Lawn, one can look down either direction of 23rd Street and see both the Hudson and East Rivers. Metal strips in the pavement refer to the High Line’s former use as a rail line.

Cor-Ten steel planters near the 23rd Street stairs

The Lawn – a rare treat in this dense city environment. When this photo was taken, the Lawn was still closed off for the winter.

Seating steps at the south end of the Lawn, constructed of reclaimed teak

The Chelsea Thicket near the south end of Section 2 – A Winter Hazel is in bloom in the foreground.

Photos by Alice Webb

Art Deco in New York City

On December 14, 2011November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Architecture1 Comment

I know this is a bit off the topic of landscape architecture, but I happen to have a love for Art Deco design, and want to share some photos of this subject that I took in New York City last year. My grandfather was an architect when this style was very popular; in fact, he was one of many architects who designed the Rockefeller Center complex of buildings when he was employed by Raymond Hood.

Looking south on Lexington Avenue: G.E. Building in foreground on right, and Chrysler Building in background

Detail of Chanin Building on Lexington Avenue

G.E. Building on Lexington Avenue

Madison Belmont Building detail (on Madison Avenue)

Lexington Avenue entrance to the Chrysler Building

Lobby of Empire State Building

Rockefeller Center detail

Rockefeller Center detail

Photos by Alice Webb