It all starts with imagining the possibility of something different.
I recently had an amazing trip to New York City; part of what I really enjoy about traveling is the chance to see different perspectives and ways of life. Something that reminded me of Wilmington and sparked my imagination was a park called High Line. The High Line Park, located in the Meat Packing district on Manhattan’s west side, is an example of how an industrial area can be transformed into public space. The High Line was an elevated railway, built in the 1930s, that provided freight trains a safe way to deliver products to the factories of the industrial west side.

What is unique and amazing about High Line Park is that its designers reincorporated the train tracks into the park. What was once a railway that had fallen into disuse in the 1980s, is now a beautiful public walkway with views of the city and gardens growing right through the tracks. There are also benches, some of which slide along the tracks, for the public to sit and enjoy the park.

Many of us may have seen the the construction of a park on the west side of Wilmington along Harry Bridges (which I will be blogging about soon). The creation of a park along the industrial port of Los Angeles will serve as an example to the Wilmington community of a private industrial area’s transformation into a space for the public. What ways can you imagine transforming the industrial areas of Wilmington? Community gardens? Bike paths?

For a closer look at the High Line click here to see its design.

(pictured above left the High Line before. Below, the High Line now which opened in June 2009)