sky high...

It was nearly two years ago that I traveled to New York to stay with some close friends. The concrete jungle, where dreams are made of, in the City the never sleeps!

So here I was in Manhattan. Was I overwhelmed? Yes. My first impressions were that this city was huge, nothing like I had seen before. The cliché movie scenes were everywhere. Yellow Taxi’s. Diners. Bagels. Star spangled flags. Broadway. Was I impressed? Somewhat. For the first two weeks, although enjoyable, I just didn't get what it was that set this City apart from the rest, what all the hype was about. Yes it was the city that never sleeps – in a concrete jungle that radiated the summer heat like I’ve never felt before. I knew something had to give; something had to blow me away. And it did. It was The High Line.

The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It is amazing. It is an aerial greenway that in my view is pure genius. The fact that you are amongst the rooftops of one of the busiest cities in the world then only to be able to escape to a place of absolute serenity and clever landscape planning. I was in awe.

Sure NYC had central park, which in fairness, itself is a sight to see. It was the first landscaped public park to be built in the United States. It is situated in the heart of Manhattan and serves as a great green space sanctuary amongst the hundreds of towering skyscrapers. But like so many big cities, a public park built in the middle of a city is nothing extraordinary. The recycling of a railway into an elevated urban park is nothing short of phenomenal, in my view.

The plants selected are mainly that of perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.  With a focus on native species, they were chosen for their colour, texture, hardiness and sustainability. The seasonal blooms add a dash of fun and delight and standout amongst the rooftops. The design is inspired by the self-seeded landscape with the inclusion some of the species that had originally and previously grown amongst the rail bed. 

I was inspired. And thus began my quest to have something similar here in Melbourne. 


Surely the most liveable city in the world could do with a majestic aerial landscaped space?  If New York is worthy then Melbourne is unquestionably worthy to play host to such a park.