A New York-Style ‘Park In The Sky’ Is Making Headway In London

By Alexa Heah, 25 Jan 2023

Residents in the UK capital of London will soon be able to enjoy Camden Highline, a new high-line-style project that aims to bring greenery to the bustling city in the form of an elevated park and walkway.

The attraction, inspired by a popular iteration in New York City, will be built by the original architect from across the pond—James Corner Field Operations—alongside local architecture firm vPPR.

According to the official website, the western end of the Highland will begin in Camden Gardens, just a five-minute walk to Camden Town Underground and Camden Market.

Visitors can climb up a staircase that rises from the south of the park, making their way through the elevated rail archway before going further up to the tree canopy and floating gantry with views of the park and Victorian railway viaduct.

To ensure that those with disabilities can enjoy the sights as well, all entrances will provide step-free access, complete with open-air lifts that hark back to the heritage of the region, and offer the same enjoyable experience as hiking up the stairs.

In addition, the central arch will have a long communal table for visitors to interact with one another, while the other arches throughout the trial will provide storage and necessary amenities.

In total, the project will span 1.2 km (0.75 miles) from Camden Gardens to Royal College Street, connecting to a six-kilometer (4-mile) circular walk, parks, and transport hubs.

Featured greenery—including woodlands, gardens, meadows, and hedgerows—will be chosen by garden designer Piet Oudolf, who was involved with the original in New York, in collaboration with the London Wildlife Trust.

While planning permits have been awarded to the project, its charity is still seeking crowdfunding help to raise £14 million (US$17 million) for the construction of the first section of the Camden Highline, expected to open to the public in 2025.

“This innovative project has the potential to become a real asset for Camden and is a great example of a local community taking an idea and garnering support in order to make it a reality,” quips London Mayor Sadiq Khan.