“Rooted” Conference shares infrastructure reuse projects across America
By Thea Hensel, Chair Southeast Greenway
Excitement was in the air as I entered a room of creative people doing infrastructure reuse projects all over America. The occasion was the High Line Network Symposium, held in Detroit last Fall. Over 250 people attended, representing 47 projects converting roads, rails, rivers, and buildings, long languishing in their communities, into vibrant public spaces.
Visitors to NYC might know about the High Line, an old elevated train line transformed into a renowned park that attracts tourists from around the world. The High Line Network evolved from the idea that lessons learned from this challenging project should be shared with others. I was privileged to attend as a guest since it is an invitation-only foundation that includes projects such as Tunnel Tops in San Francisco and the Lafitte Greenway in New Orleans.
We all met at the recently opened Michigan Central Train Station to kick off the week that focused on the slogan of our work being “ROOTED in the community.” Each morning High Line staff led sessions to put into action a new toolkit focused on equitable ways public spaces can be authentically rooted in their communities’ needs, culture, and aspirations.
The High Line Network provides practical implementation support with shared toolkits as well as technical support and links to similar projects. Each afternoon, we toured transformative projects happening in Detroit that included reusing an abandoned building and a church now filled with art, robust community gardens feeding people and transforming neighborhoods, and so much more. The real treat was a casual walk along the Detroit River, once an industrial wasteland that has become a mecca for downtown, with vibrant activities, and a lovely view across the water to Canada.
My hope is to bring these creative ideas and aspirations to Santa Rosa as I learn from folks overcoming incredible obstacles, knowing that these projects can bring tremendous and much-needed social, health, environmental, and economic benefits “ROOTED in our community.”
