More on the Highline

Fred and I have been supporting the High Line since we got a glimpse of the project a few years back.  Last night we attended a fundraiser.  I continue to be impressed at every turn as the High Line moves along.  Hot was it was, we walked up to the top to see the plantings and the pavers that have been laid.

The event took place at Craftsteak hosted by Tom Colicchio.  A great space for an event.  What is nice about the event is that each course is prepared by a different chef.  The chefs were Sue Torres of Los Dados, Masaharu Morimoto of Morimoto, Mario Batali of Del Posto ( that is one of his many restaurants but Del Posto is in the High Line area), Ralf Kuettel of Trestle on Tenth, Marc Meyer of Cookshop and Erica Leahy of Craftsteak (pastry chef). 

Conceptually a great idea.  More fun than anything else.  Most important, I am so glad we have supported the High Line.  Like Madison Square Park and really the majority of Central Park, the High Line will have an endowment that will manage the High Line so that private funds can pay for keeping the park up.  As much as it would be wonderful if the city could pay for that, it is unrealistic.  There are many parks throughout the city and the money is and should be spread fairly.  Parks are such an important park of the fabric of a neighborhood.  If the public can support the park in a particular neighborhood, it is essential that the areas that can't get private funding are supported by the public funds to keep the neighborhood parks beautiful.  People might argue that the public funds should pay for upkeep at every park but reality is there is only so much money and the neighborhoods that are not as well off need to have beautiful parks too.  Hence, this is why we support the High Line.

The High Line is also a lesson in community efforts. Joshua David and Robert Hammond have transformed and old train track into a magnificent park ( soon to be open ) and they never were involved in anything like this before.  Says something about people's abilities have nothing to do with what profession they are in but their true skills sets.  I have always believed in hiring people based on their skills sets.  I'd hire these guys to do anything.  They are fantastic and I am beyond impressed with their multi-talents from fund raising to creating an organization to picking architects to making decisions.  An incredible story.

I can hardly wait for opening day.