The conclusion of Kevin Loughran’s article “Parks for Profit: The High Line, Growth Machines, and the Uneven Development of Urban Public Spaces” states that no one can truly characterize the High Line as one type of park; it is neither entirely public nor entirely private. I agree with these ideas entirely. The park’s relationship to the private and public sectors are nuanced relationships that cannot be easily analyzed or generalized. However, I believe the pros of the High Line outweigh the cons in the fact that it is a free area of leisure. Though it is primarily used by white people according to Loughran’s ethnographic studies, I still think the park provides opportunities to view beauty and relax for all people (Loughran 53).
While white, privileged people do tend to be able to enjoy the park more liberally, I do not think it is an example of gentrification as Loughran alluded to on multiple occasions (Loughran 63). The High Line is, as he stated, a nuanced staple in New York City. It does act uniquely in its expensive private components, but it is nonetheless an aesthetically pleasing location that is open for all to enjoy. It has recently been made even more accessible by the newest stop on the 7 train line, which connects minority neighborhoods in Queens to Manhattan (Fitzsimmons 2015). This train stop could be an indication of the park being open to people besides the rich and privileged elite of New York City.
Though I do believe that the High Line has the ability to benefit most people in New York City, I am particularly interested in how the “public” portion of the park actually contrasts with the people’s needs. One segment of Loughran’s piece particularly intrigued me. Bottle collectors are frowned upon in the “public” park, yet the park is supposed to be for the public good (Loughran 62). For people who make a living through the bottles from the public, wouldn’t the park be for people making money from the park?
The issue concerning bottle collectors speaks to the larger issue of the city as a growth machine. Though the city needs money to function, it seems as if every aspect of New York City is being taken from the public and given to the private sector. From parks to the workers who collect garbage, it seems as if countless city operations are subcontracted or in relation to private companies (Feldman 2018). The city and its public spaces do not truly care about the public good. They care about money and how they can make it.
I’ve seen a similar situation occur in my home neighborhood of College Point, Queens. The Frank Golden Park has been subjected to privatization efforts after a deal was made between the local government and an Irish sports team (Toure 2015). The deal states that the Shannon Gaels sports team can use a brand new field during allocated times- most of these times being weekends and after school hours. This “public” park has had its resources allocated to external parties and this has resulted in the field being largely inaccessible to children who want to play in the park during their free time. This situation has outraged many in College Point, but it is different from the High Line in the fact that the High Line was a deserted “blight” in New York City. While it was cherished by certain tag artists and other trespassers, it was not a utilized area of New York City.
While I understand that there is controversy surrounding the High Line, it is ultimately a public park that favors the demographics of the people in its immediate neighborhood. However, could this not be said for most parks? The park shown on the New York City’s Department of Parks website proves that park revitalization efforts are not only occurring in wealthy neighborhoods (Community Parks Initiative Targeted Improvements). Parks are being revitalized in underserved neighborhoods. However, these efforts could very well make the neighborhood more appealing to outsiders and may thus make other people go to the park. New York City will continue to cater to the wealthy because it needs money to continue to grow. The city is stuck in a paradox in which it is surviving to gain money and gaining money to survive. Unless the city proves that it is not merely a growth machine, I believe more public spaces will be used to attract more people.
References:
“Community Parks Initiative Targeted Improvements,” http://www.nycgovparks.org/about/framework-for-an-equitable-future/community-parks-initiative/caring
Feldman, K. (2018, January 04). Trashed: Inside the Deadly World of Private Garbage Collection. Retrieved from https://www.propublica.org/article/trashed-inside-the-deadly-world-of-private-garbage-collection
Fitzsimmons, E. G. (2015, September 13). Subway Station for 7 Line Opens on Far West Side. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/nyregion/no-7-subway-station-far-west-side-manhattan.html
“Parks for Profit: The High Line, Growth Machines, and the Uneven Development of Urban Public Spaces,” Loughran, Kevin. 2014. City & Community, 13(1): 49-65
Toure, M. (2015, December 15). First phase of Frank Golden Park renovation begins. Retrieved from https://www.timesledger.com/stories/2015/50/shannongaels_2015_12_11_q.html
