I visited the High Line on September 20, 2012. It is a long strip of land ranging from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. The High Line was built in the early 1930s as an elevated commercial rail line to carry congestive rail traffic above New York City streets. The High Line that I visited has been completely transformed since the railroad was abandoned. Now, the High Line is a beautiful path of nature that lives in the busiest city in the world. It really shows that even in a city as crowded, polluted, and urban as New York City, there can still exist a section of diverse plant life coexisting.
I feel that the High Line does fit many of Emma Marris’ concepts in “Rambunctious Garden.” It is a great example of humans working to preserve nature in a urbanized city like New York. It shows that even though humans have had influences all around the city, there can still be a strip of nature. The diverse species of flowers and pollinators are amazing to see in New York. The High Line goes with Emma Marris’ idea of connecting nature with humans rather than creating a distinct separation between the two. Furthermore, Richard Stalter’s article, “The flora on the High Line, New York City, New York,” supports the fact that the High Line does follow Emma Marris’ idea of the “rambunctious garden.” He states that “Human visitors to the High Line have probably inadvertently transported seeds to the site, a source of new species.” (Stalter 387) This shows that rather than claiming the High Line as tainted and unnatural because it has been affected by human actions, the High Line’s high species diversity is, in part, because of humans interacting with nature. The High Line is a clear example of nature that has been altered by humans, but is still considered to be pristine in its own way. The High Line has some of the most diverse plant species found in New York and is a common attraction. People appreciate the fact that there is a serene bed of nature along the streets of New York and I think that this is exactly what Marris was describing in “Rambunctious Garden.”
I think that the High Line is becoming a vital part of New York City. In the busy streets of New York, where people are yelling and screaming, it is nice to go to a calm and quiet place where there are flowers and bumblebees. There are not many places in New York City where people can see so many different types of pollinators in one place. The High Line has been a great addition to New York City since it represents the coexistence of nature and urbanization.
