Updated 09/20/2012 02:13 PM
Groundbreaking Marks Final Phase Of High Line Park
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Work is getting under way on the final stretch of the High Line.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn joined some city school children Tuesday morning in Chelsea to toss wildflower and native grass seeds onto the elevated park.
It signaled the start of construction on the remaining stretch.
Once it's finished the park will extend more than a mile from Gansevoort Street, giving its estimated four million annual visitors even more scenery to enjoy.
"The third section of the High Line will integrate seamlessly into the neighborhood and connect it to the areas of west Chelsea and the Meatpacking District," Bloomberg said.
"I think it would be wonderful to have it be longer. I'm sure it would be more useful to a greater number of people in the city," said one High Line visitor.
"I'd love to see it run the whole length of Manhattan! Wouldn't that be nice?" said another visitor.
Enthusiasm aside, the park's success has also drawn some disdain.
Posters aimed at tourists appeared months ago pleading for less noise, less garbage, and more respect for the privacy of those living around the park.
The final segment will wrap around the site of the planned Hudson Rail Yards from West 30th to West 34th Street.
Most of it is expected to be open by 2014.