Dezeen Magazine

The High Line roundup
Photograph by Diller Scofidio + Renfro

18 "rail-to-trail" projects following in the High Line's footsteps

The creators of New York's High Line have launched a platform to advise similar infrastructure reuse projects in the USA. We've rounded up the 18 other schemes in the works, including an OMA-designed bridge with ramps and waterfalls, and an underground park.

The hugely popular High Line park, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and James Corner Field Operations, reclaimed a section of a disused elevated railway line along the Lower West Side of Manhattan.

Robert Hammond, one of the project's founders, has since launched the High Line Network. The initiative allows similar projects in North America, which he describes as "rail-to-trail", to share tips and advice on creating all-inclusive public parks in unusual spaces.

Read on to find out more about the network's 18 other projects:


The High Line roundup
Image by OMA and OLIN

11th Street Bridge Park, Washington DC by OMA and OLIN

Rem Koolhaas' architecture firm OMA has collaborated with landscape architects OLIN studio to design Washington DC's first elevated park on a bridge crossing the Anacastia river in the city's southeast quadrant.

Set to open in 2019, it will comprise a pair of ramps that slope up to offer raised views across the city, as well as cover to spaces underneath. Waterfalls will be placed at each end, with one linked to a filtration system that will clean the surrounding river water. An open plaza in the middle will host markets, festivals and performances.


The High Line roundup
Photograph by Christopher T Martin

Atlanta BeltLine, Atlanta, Georgia by Perkins + Will and Kimley Horn

The Belt Line is designed to occupy a series of abandoned railway corridors to create a route of parks, trails, transit and affordable housing, which will loop around Atlanta and connect 45 neighbourhoods.

Lined with art installations, the open trails will also include a botanical tree garden and parks to host free public activities like fitness classes. The first phase of the project opened in 2008 and it is anticipated to be fully completed by 2030.


The High Line roundup
Image courtesy of Houston Parks Board

Bayou Greenways 2020, Houston, Texas

The Bayou Greenways 2020 will see over 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) along Houston's bayous – a marshy outlet of the river – made into a continuous park and hike-and-bike trails.

Aiming to transform the way that Houston's residents journey around the city, once completed it will mean that 60 per cent live within 1.5 miles of a bayou.


The High Line roundup

Buffalo Bayou, Houston, Texas by SWA, Page, Herves Descottes, Reed Hilderbrand and Lake/Flato

In progress for 30 years, the Buffalo Bayou project will revitalise a 10-mile (16-kilometre) stretch along the river in Houston into parks, trails and bridges.

It will take place in stages, with the current phase providing a play area, a dog park, performance pavilions, a cafe, as well as a pair of visitor centres for boat and bike rentals. The next section is planned for the eastern portion of the river.


The High Line roundup

Crissy Field, San Francisco, California by Hargreaves Associates

Occupying what was formerly an army airfield, the mile-long Crissy Field national park includes grassy land tidal marsh, and sand dunes, with 100,000 native plants that were planted by volunteers.

The community-backed project commenced before the High Line in 1996, but is set for a refresh. It currently hosts 1.2 million visitors a year and is home to 125 species of birds.


The High Line roundup

Dequindre Cut, Detroit, Michigan by Smith Group JJR

Measuring 20 feet (6.1 metres) wide, this greenway has enough room for both pedestrians and bicycles to travel between Detroit's east Riverfront, Eastern Market and residential neighbourhoods.

Previously the Grand Trunk Railroad line, the route mainly run under street level with parts passing underneath old structures that are now home to graffiti artwork. Its newest section runs along the Wilkins Street Plaza, which features cyclists with a spot to park bikes and seats to rest.


The High Line roundup
Photograph by Thomas McConnell

Klyde Warren Park, Dallas, Texas by Office of James Burnett, and Thomas Phifer and Associates

A children's park, dog park, lawn, performance pavilion, restaurant, reading and game room, and five water features are all included in the Kylid Warren Park, a 5.2-acre (2.1-hectare) park built above the Woodall Rodgers Freeway in Dallas.

Bridging uptown and downtown Dallas, the park hosts a broad public programme – from fitness and educational activities to free movie screenings, symphony concerts, and simulcasts of opera.


The High Line roundup
Image by Kibum Park/Raad Designs

Lowline, New York City, New York by James Ramsey and Daniel Barasch

The inverse version of the High Line, the Lowline will turn an abandoned trolley terminal at the heart of New York's Lower East Side into what is billed as the world's first underground park.

Parts of the infrastructure will be restored and a series of solar arrays will be used to create wells of light in the cavernous park, which will be filled with a variety of plants.


The High Line roundup

Presidio Tunnel Tops, San Francisco, California by James Corner Field Operations

James Corner Field Operations – one of the studios behind High Line – has planned this 14-acre green space atop the tunnelled road to the Golden Gate highway and surrounding parklands.

As well as paths and gardens, features will include a community plaza, a campfire circle, picnic areas and an interactive kids playground. It is currently under construction with its completion slated for 2019.


The High Line roundup
Image by DLANDstudio & WXY

Queensway, Queens, New York by DLANDstudio and WXY

This community-led project in Queens, New York, hopes to transform 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) of disused railway into a park for neighbourhoods that are lacking green space, so local children can connect with nature.

Taking cues from the High Line, the park will be lined with planting and benches, but have separate paths for cyclists and those on foot.


The High Line roundup
Image by Studio|Bryan Hanes

Rail Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Studio Bryan Hanes and Urban Engineers

Aiming to "bring together diverse communities and serve as a focal point for the city", Philadelphia's Rail Park will convert an old rail line into three miles (4.8 kilometres) of green space that links 10 neighbourhoods.

It is hoped that it will also kickstart the redevelopment of the city's vacant spaces on the route, which runs along the former Reading Railroad Line.


The High Line roundup
Image by Daniel Lee Postaer

River LA, Los Angeles, California by Gehry Partners, OLIN and Geosyntec

A masterplan headed by Frank Gehry is set to revitalise the barren canal-like waterway that weaves through Los Angeles.

Currently a work in progress, it includes ideas like kayaking, playgrounds and undulating bikeways that are logged in the LA River Index and yet to be formalised. The public is also invited to submit suggestions.


Photograph courtesy of The Trust for Public Land

The 606, Chicago, Illinois by Collins Engineering, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Frances Whitehead

Named after Chicago's postal code prefix, the 2.6-mile-long (4.2-kilometre) 606 park transformed the abandoned Bloomingdale Rail Line into elevated bicycle and pedestrian paths that spirals to the top of a hill.

Featuring parks and event spaces, the park, which opened in 2015, forms part of a wider mission to create more open space in the northwest of Chicago.


The High Line roundup
Image by Public Work

The Bentway, Toronto, Ontario by Public Work and Greenberg Consultants

The underpass of the Toronto's Gardiner Expressway is set to be transformed into a "thriving cultural hub" by 2018.

Threaded between the existing concrete columns, proposed activities include gardens, a skating rink, recreational amenities, markets, public art, exhibitions, festivals, theatre and musical performances.


Image by James Corner Field Operations

The Underline, Miami, Florida by James Corner Field Operations

Another James Corner Field Operations project, the 10-mile-long (16-kilometre) park and urban trail will be located below an elevated rail line in Downtown Miami.

Combining an existing bike trail and with a new pedestrian pathway, the routes will wind through different ecosystems filled with native plants, spaces for art and play, and pop-up structures.


Trinity River Park, Dallas, Texas by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and LimnoTech

Curving into either side of Dallas' Trinity River, the project will offer the community a series of recreational spaces, including elevated parks and places to gather and walk.

Opening in summer 2021, it also forms part of the city's masterplan to provide protection against flooding.


Waller Creek, Austin, Texas by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

Austin's neglected Waller Creek is set to be upgraded to 37 acres (15 hectares) of parks and three miles (4.8 kilometres) of bikes and paths opening in 2019.

At its heart, it will feature a green square that will lead down to a pavilion with a gridded roof that will host the cultural arts programme planned for the scheme.


Image by James Corner Field Operations

Waterfront Seattle, Seattle, Washington by James Corner Field Operations, Miller Hull, LMN & Mithun and Mithun

Described as a "waterfront for all", the 26-block-long park on Seattle's waterfront will create elevated overlooks, spaces, and places out of the space left by the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Other features will include landscaped gardens designed to bio-filtrate stormwater, the rebuilding of a historic plaza for year-round public programmes, and a direct walkway to the Pike Place MarketFront plaza.