The final section of the High Line opened promptly at 11 a.m. Sunday after a long procession of city officials and supporters, including Friends of the High Line co-founder and President, Joshua David, Edward Norton, Senator Chuck Schumer (who, according to Gothamist, biked to the event), City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler and City Council Member Corey Johnson. A lunch and celebration followed for volunteers and community members that featured the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Marching Band.
The park’s final section, named “High Line at the Railyards,” flows along the old train tracks from 30th to 34th Streets, across from the Javits Center, and spans 10th to 12th Avenues. It gives visitors clear views of the Hudson and contains purposefully “unruly” plant-life designed by High Line landscapers James Corner, Diller Scofido + Renfro and Piet Oudolf.
As reported by Gothamist, phase three of the High Line Park includes an installation by artist Adrián Villar Rojas, called The Evolution of God. The piece is centered around large cement and clay blocks, created to gradually deteriorate over the next year. Several of the rail switches have been retrofitted with colored lights, for visitors to play with the signals. Another permanent feature was added on the 21st called Pershing Square Beams. This enclosed area above 11th Avenue is missing the concrete deck, so that visitors can see the original structural features, which are sealed in silicone.
Construction on the High Line began in 2006 and today the final project spans 1.4 miles.