7 (elevated park) wonders of the world including 2 from Shanghai

Photograph: Acroterion via Wiki Commons (The High Line in New York)

Elevated parks are good examples of urban renewal developments and, if done well, can breathe new life into urban facilities that belonged to the dusty past. The term refers to parks constructed above the ground, usually converted from disused public facilities such as railways, highways or viaducts. From the oldest to the most famous, here's the best high line parks around the globe. 

Baixi Park, Shanghai, China

Photograph: courtesy Shanghai Putuo and Meili Caoyang official WeChats

Baixi Park, located near Shanghai Global Harbor, is a three-storey elevated park of a North-South orientation stretching for 800 metres. The semi-underground K1 is an open art gallery that holds various exhibitions throughout the year. The K2 floor is covered with ample greenings dotted with public art installations here and there, and the upper K3 walking deck offers a great view of the neighbourhood and surroundings. Coming at night to witness the fantastic lighting is also recommended.  

📍Baixi Park, 58 Lanxi Lu, near Caoyang Lu. 

The High Line, New York, New York

Photograph: Acroterion via Wiki Commons

While not the first elevated park (read on to find out who’s the first), the High Line, which opened in 2009, is undoubtedly the most famous. Converted from an abandoned rail track that went out of use in 1980, the 2.3km-long walking path stretches from Gansevoort Street on the west side of Manhattan (downtown) to the Hudson Yards in Midtown. Apart from a killer view of New York’s skyline, there are wildflowers, greenery, outdoor art installations and amphitheatre-like seating to watch the traffic. Kids can also play in the nooks and crannies at the Pershing Square Beams inside the park. 

The Bentway, Toronto, Canada

Photograph: Jason Zhang via Wiki Commons

This one is actually built under a highway, Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, that in the past cut off the access to some of Toronto’s must-see attractions, from Fort York National Historic Site, Ontario Place and Exhibition Place, to Harbourfront Centre and the CN Tower. The first phase, which opened in 2018, offers year-round activities and events, public art installations, community programming, performances and... a 220-metre-long skating trail in winter, free to use. Oh, did we mention The Bentway is actually an independent charity project with the help of the City of Toronto? Quite impressive, huh?

Promenade Plantée, Paris, France

Photograph: La Citta Vitavia Wiki Commons

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Parisians initially thought of Promenade Plantée as a waste of money. However, the world’s first elevated park became an instant hit after being built in 1993. Converted from an 1800s viaduct, the park begins at the Bastille, winds through the 12th arrondissement by way of a 4.8km-long path, finishing at Bois de Vincennes. The highlight includes Viaduc des Arts, where 45 brick archways were transformed into artisan showrooms and a cable footbridge over the Jardin de Reuilly. 

Seoullo 7017, Seoul, South Korea

Photograph: Christian Bolz via Wiki Commons

A park built atop an unused highway overpass that cuts diagonally across Seoul Station, Seoullo 7017 is also known as Seoul Skygarden or Skypark. This park wowed the world almost instantly with its manicured gardens, tidy terraces and exciting exhibitions. The ‘70’ in the name comes from the year 1970 when the overpass was in planning, and the ‘17’ is both the number of walkways connecting through the park, and the year when the park was opened. The park has many activities for the little ones: a trampoline playground and glass potholes to see the street below are just two examples. 

The Goods Line, Sydney, Australia

Photograph: Wikipedia user Wpcpey via Wiki Commons

The 800-metre-long linear park is built atop a 19th-century freight rail system used to transport wool, meat and wheat to the suburb of Ultimo in Sydney CBD. The last official use of the Goods Line was in 1984. However, the legendary track is now a vibrant urban hub that offers pedestrian pathways, cycleways, ping pong tables and even ‘study pod’ tables complete with power outlets and WiFi. The highlight includes playgrounds that preserved and made use of sections of old train tracks. 

Baoshan Starry Sky High Line Park, Shanghai

Photograph: courtesy Shanghai Baoshan (上海宝山)

Baoshan Starry Sky High Line Park boasts an elevated walking path winding underneath seven massive gantry cranes, connecting fountains, viewing decks, and a folding bridge made entirely by 3D printing. Still not convinced? How about sipping a cup of Frappuccino at China’s first Starbucks to be sited inside a container? 

📍Baoshan Starry Sky High Line Park, 5899 Gonghexin Lu, near Hulan Xi Lu. 

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