Although it comes with a staggering $75 million price tag, Section 3 of the repurposed elevated rail line was designed to stay true to its natural, overgrown state. In collaboration with James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio & Renfro, Mr. Oudolf has created a rather romantic, shady woodland atmosphere for the Rail Yards section. The organized “raw nature” scheme contrasts pleasantly with the many open spaces and man-made architectural features found along the majority of the 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure.
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Although the final section has been carefully landscaped and fitted with quite a few repurposed features such as reclaimed Angelique benches and picnic tables, the natural design scheme pays homage to the true spirit and charm of the abandoned railroad line. The unruly part of Section 3 can be reached by crossing the 11th Avenue bridge, leading visitors into an urban escape full of Kentucky coffee trees, flowing Aspens and long stretches of Sumacs, Sassafras and numerous natural prairie plants and grasses. “It’s still lush, still natural, but we used different trees and other species,” Mr. Oudolf told the NY Times.
Via New York Times
Photography by Yuka Yoneda
