High Line to Staten island ferry

5 miles

50 metres

Whilst urban walking isn't everyone's cup of tea it can give a different look to a city. The High Line is a 1.1 mile long urban park built on an old elevated rail Road.  Run by volunteers the park is a green oasis and is well tended.  It's only problem is that it is not long enough!

Running from 30th street to Gansevoort Street (it's like I'm a local!) the park cuts a path between and at times through buildings.  It runs parallel with the Hudson River a block or two over, and forms part of an urban renewal turning the old warehouses and tenements into a trendy area.  A small park (run by volunteers) has helped form a renewal of an area, a quite inspiring idea!

The park is modern with plenty of wood, steel and glass, but its been done very well and contrasts perfectly with the old brick buildings.  Being raised up made the park quieter than the roads below, helping with the tranquil feeling.

From the end of the High Line it was a short one block walk over to the Hudson River and a long narrow park running for miles along the river.  The park is a lot busier with lots of cyclists and runners.  Again it was a peace of redevelopment that worked, being popular and bringing people back to the area.

The Hudson River park is again very well kept and full of signs of investment in an area that would of been run down with the demise of the river side quays and docks.  The park is full of playgrounds, kayaking, biking and even a Trapeze!  There are also a few dog runs, areas where dogs can be 'unleashed', however these were and 15m by 10m at best so I couldn't see them being the greatest for a dog owner.

I kept to the waterfront all the way round to Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry terminal.  From here you can catch a free ferry across to Staten Island giving great views of the city and the Statue of Liberty.  I picked a great day with blue skies and warm weather, and after the drinks of an Alt-J gig the night before this walk was an ideal Sunday morning stroll.