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This summer, the High Line is going full mad scientist—in the best possible way.
Starting today, June 4, the beloved elevated park is transforming into a free, open-air science museum as part of "Nature in the City," a summer-long celebration of urban ecology. Visitors can expect educational signage, expert-led tours, interactive programming and one massive mural—all designed to spotlight how city gardens (yes, even your windowsill herb box) can help create a greener, more resilient New York.
“We’re inviting New Yorkers to discover another side of the city—and the park—they love,” Alan van Capelle, executive director of Friends of the High Line, told Time Out. “Green spaces like the High Line make New York a better place to live, not just for people but for birds, bees and wildlife, too.”
At the center of the celebration is a 108-foot mural taking over the 14th Street Passage. It illustrates the High Line’s mini-ecosystems, sustainable gardening practices and the big-picture impact of native plants. Meanwhile, 44 new signs throughout the park highlight habitats and flora that feed and shelter everything from monarch butterflies to songbirds.
But this isn’t just for plant nerds (though, welcome). It’s also for brown-thumbed beginners, curious kids and rooftop gardeners looking to up their game. There will be guided tours with the park’s famed horticulturists, plus a virtual event series running through December, kicking off with a buzzworthy session during Pollinator Week featuring entomologist Sarah Kornbluth of the American Museum of Natural History.
“An ecologically informed approach transforms a garden from a static display into a vibrant, living system that supports our urban environment,” Richard Hayden, the High Line’s Director of Horticulture, told us. “Nature in the City is our way of demystifying these practices, giving everyone the tools and knowledge to cultivate resilient, beautiful spaces.”
The initiative also underscores a bigger message: nature is already here, woven into the sidewalks, fire escapes and wild corners of the city. More than 150 species of trees, grasses and wildflowers planted on the High Line are native to NYC, and with Nature in the City, the hope is to inspire even more micro-habitats to flourish, stoop by stoop.