High Line unveils park's second section

Rachel Levine, 50, of Manhattan, sat under the cool breezeway of the High Line Tuesday, husking fresh sweet corn as hundreds of people strolled through the newly opened section of the park.

"I love it here," said Levine. "The gardens are natural and beautiful. There is nothing fancy -- just the way it's supposed to be."

The High Line -- a promenade running 22 blocks atop a former railroad viaduct -- unveiled its second section this week, a 10-block extension from West 20th Street to West 30th Street.

A stroll among tall rail yard grasses, sumac trees and blossoming wildflowers offers visitors a feeling of the city's past, when freight trains transported food from upstate farms to the city.

In April 2006 construction began on the first phase of the project from Gansevoort Street to West 20th Street. That portion opened in June 2009.

With 2 million visitors annually, Joshua David, co-founder of the park who fought to preserve the train line when it was slated for demolition 12 years ago, said the park's uniqueness is that "it is a piece of our historic past and its present story of a new urban park that cannot be duplicated anywhere."

To celebrate the park's new extension, there are abstract art installations that include water boxes for butterflies and birds that blend with the tree line along the walkway.

And there are taped recorded messages that are turned on when people use the park's water fountains, elevators or bathroom wash basins. Messages include: "Do you know kissing helps prevent tooth decay?" and "Don't forget to brush your teeth."

"This is a social room for people to stroll, to sit, to put their feet in water and get amazing views of the Hudson River," said John Corner, one of the park designers. "It's a catwalk of people who want to be seen or want to see people," he said.