NYC’s Lowline Underground Park To See Light of Day
July 6, 2015 by Robin Plaskoff Horton
New York City is famous for its skyline, not so much for its treeline. The city has some great parks, but for 8.4 million people, it could still use more. One solution: go underground. That’s where you’ll find the Lowline, a concept for a subterranean park which will use solar technology to channel sunlight beneath city streets.
It might not sound like a smart idea to have an underground park where there’s no natural lighting and the wildlife consists mainly of rats, rats, and bigger rats. But the Lowline has considered all of that and its new solar technology system sheds light on all those issues.
The park will generate energy from solar panels strategically placed on surrounding buildings, while powerful mirrors will reflect sunlight down to the street level, where special light conducting tubes will direct the sunlight down even further to light up the underground park.
The Lowline’s solar and mirrors technology will provide enough natural light underground to ensure that many varieties of plant species will not just survive, but thrive.
And talk about the perfect location on New York’s Lower East Side. The Lowline will transform a relic of the past, The Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal –used between 1908 and 1948 to carry passengers over the Williamsburg Bridge–into another gathering place for people, this time as a destination, not just a place of transit.
Although the former Trolley Terminal has long since been abandoned, once the football field-sized space is filled with real plants, real trees, and real sunlight, it will make the idea of an underground park feel totally natural.
When completed, the Lowline will join the ranks of other New York City parks which transformed otherwise disused spaces into urban oases. The High Line converted an abandoned elevated railroad trestle into a spectacular world-renowned public landscape, turning a once-blighted corner of the city into a park filled with perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.
Aerial photograph of New York City’s Central Park. Sergey Semenov/AirPano.com
And let’s not forget the 843 acres of Central Park, the first urban landscaped park in the United States and the one that launched the urban park movement.
It’s not the first time an underground park concept has emerged. The Pop Down, above, a similar concept created for some of London’s forgotten tunnels, remains just an idea that has not yet come to fruition. Designed by Fletcher Priest, that project also included plans for a mushroom farm.
Lena Dunham’s Lowline Wish List
But the Lowline hopes to be the world’s first underground urban park and one New Yorker is already dreaming about her Lowline experience. In the video above, Lena Dunham, creator of the HBO series Girls, discusses what she would like to do in the future Lowline.
Lena should be happy because things are looking up for the Lowline: the project’s recent Kickstarter campaign has of this posting generated over $148,000. It looks like the Lowline will indeed see the light of day.
___________________________________________________________
The Lowline idea surfaced when two New Yorkers–architectural designer and former NASA satellite engineer, James Ramsey, and his friend Dan Barasch, a social entrepreneur interested in bringing art into the NYC subway tunnels–bounced around the idea of an underground park. Ramsey and his team at Raad Studio worked out the design concept, then he and Barasch shared it with neighborhood friends. Before they knew it, the Lowline developed into a popular cause and began drawing support from near and far.
Unless otherwise noted, photos via the Lowline.
Category: Community Gardens, Green & Sustainable, Greening, Solar Energy
Tags: Lowline, New York City Underground Park, NYC urban parks, underground park, underground urban park, urban parks
Enjoyed this post? Subscribe to Urban Gardens!
share | 
e-mail a friend | comments (48)
This sounds amazing. I look forward to walking through & enjoying the lowline when it comes to fruition.
— July 6, 2015 @ 07:19
Thanks Janet, I too can’t wait to experience this!
— July 6, 2015 @ 11:31
What a fascinating idea, would love to have some regular updates on this project.
Great post.
— July 12, 2015 @ 21:50
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
— April 14, 2025 @ 17:09
715294 669145Safest the world toasts are created to captivate and also faithfulness to your wedding couple. Beginner sound system watching high decibel locations would be wise to always remember some sort of vital secret produced by presentation, which is your auto. finest man speeches funny 825896
— April 16, 2025 @ 20:36
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
— May 3, 2025 @ 22:04
I am curious to find out what blog system you’re working with? I’m having some minor security issues with my latest blog and I would like to find something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?
— May 14, 2026 @ 07:23
Interesting article. It is extremely unfortunate that over the last decade, the travel industry has already been able to to handle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, flu virus, swine flu, as well as the first ever true global tough economy. Through everything the industry has really proven to be robust, resilient and dynamic, acquiring new approaches to deal with adversity. There are continually fresh troubles and the possiblility to which the sector must just as before adapt and reply.
— May 16, 2026 @ 10:25
I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours lately, but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is beautiful price enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the internet will likely be much more helpful than ever before.
— May 17, 2026 @ 17:16
I don’t think the title of your enticle matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the enticle.
— May 18, 2026 @ 11:26
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to ?return the favor?.I am attempting to find things to improve my web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
— May 18, 2026 @ 19:19
Hey very nice web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?I’m happy to find numerous useful info here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
— May 18, 2026 @ 21:49
Yet another issue is really that video gaming became one of the all-time most important forms of entertainment for people of all ages. Kids play video games, and also adults do, too. Your XBox 360 is amongst the favorite gaming systems for many who love to have a huge variety of activities available to them, and who like to play live with other people all over the world. Thank you for sharing your notions.
— May 20, 2026 @ 05:25
I have seen loads of useful items on your web page about computer systems. However, I’ve the view that laptop computers are still less than powerful enough to be a wise decision if you normally do projects that require a great deal of power, including video editing. But for world-wide-web surfing, word processing, and a lot other frequent computer functions they are fine, provided you don’t mind the little screen size. Appreciate sharing your opinions.
— May 23, 2026 @ 12:56
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Firefox. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The design and style look great though! Hope you get the problem solved soon. Many thanks
— May 25, 2026 @ 01:40
One thing I’d like to touch upon is that fat burning plan fast may be accomplished by the perfect diet and exercise. Your size not just affects appearance, but also the actual quality of life. Self-esteem, despression symptoms, health risks, as well as physical skills are afflicted in extra weight. It is possible to do everything right but still gain. In such a circumstance, a condition may be the reason. While a lot of food and not enough exercise are usually to blame, common medical ailments and key prescriptions can certainly greatly add to size. Many thanks for your post in this article.
— May 25, 2026 @ 23:29
I would also like to state that most individuals who find themselves with no health insurance can be students, self-employed and people who are not working. More than half from the uninsured are under the age of 35. They do not think they are in need of health insurance since they are young along with healthy. Their particular income is generally spent on homes, food, along with entertainment. A lot of people that do work either full or not professional are not provided insurance by their jobs so they proceed without due to rising tariff of health insurance in the us. Thanks for the ideas you write about through this web site.
— May 26, 2026 @ 17:25
Great site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really love to be a part of online community where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Bless you!
— May 28, 2026 @ 00:07
Sweet blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
— June 1, 2026 @ 01:48
Generally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great article.
— June 1, 2026 @ 06:41
I was suggested this blog by way of my cousin. I am now not sure whether or not this put up is written by way of him as nobody else realize such distinctive about my trouble. You are amazing! Thank you!
— June 1, 2026 @ 07:00
Wow, amazing weblog format! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made running a blog look easy. The overall glance of your site is fantastic, as well as the content material!
— June 1, 2026 @ 16:58
Thanks for revealing your ideas with this blog. As well, a fantasy regarding the finance institutions intentions whenever talking about foreclosures is that the standard bank will not getreceive my payments. There is a specific amount of time which the bank will take payments from time to time. If you are very deep inside hole, they will commonly desire that you pay the actual payment entirely. However, i am not saying that they will not take any sort of repayments at all. Should you and the lender can seem to work something out, your foreclosure process may cease. However, if you ever continue to miss out on payments within the new program, the property foreclosure process can pick up exactly where it was left off.
— June 2, 2026 @ 12:00
I’d also like to mention that most people that find themselves with no health insurance can be students, self-employed and people who are without a job. More than half from the uninsured are under the age of 35. They do not feel they are looking for health insurance as they are young along with healthy. Their own income is typically spent on real estate, food, and also entertainment. Lots of people that do go to work either 100 or as a hobby are not presented insurance via their work so they get along without due to the rising tariff of health insurance in the country. Thanks for the concepts you write about through your blog.
— June 4, 2026 @ 02:23
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch!
— June 6, 2026 @ 23:55
Looking for the Best Drive School of Motoring? Get expert driving lessons at best driving school for affordable and quality driving instruction.
— June 7, 2026 @ 14:40
I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
— June 13, 2026 @ 04:35
whoah this weblog is wonderful i like studying your articles. Keep up the great paintings! You understand, a lot of individuals are hunting around for this information, you can aid them greatly.
— June 15, 2026 @ 08:42
UpvoteRocket is the #1 automated voting service for private MMORPG servers. Climb toplist rankings on XtremeTop100, TopG, GTop100 with smart undetectable automation. Ragnarok, WoW, Mu Online & 20+ platforms supported. Pay only for delivered votes.
— June 16, 2026 @ 09:13
I additionally believe that mesothelioma cancer is a extraordinary form of melanoma that is generally found in people previously familiar with asbestos. Cancerous tissue form while in the mesothelium, which is a protective lining that covers almost all of the body’s body organs. These cells usually form in the lining from the lungs, abdomen, or the sac which encircles one’s heart. Thanks for expressing your ideas.
— June 19, 2026 @ 13:06
great post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
— June 20, 2026 @ 23:32
That is very interesting, You’re an overly professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look ahead to in search of extra of your wonderful post. Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks!
— June 22, 2026 @ 09:26
I have realized that car insurance businesses know the cars which are liable to accidents along with other risks. Additionally , they know what kind of cars are prone to higher risk along with the higher risk they’ve got the higher the premium charge. Understanding the straightforward basics associated with car insurance just might help you choose the right form of insurance policy that should take care of your family needs in case you get involved in any accident. Many thanks sharing a ideas on your blog.
— June 26, 2026 @ 11:11
Thanks a lot for the helpful content. It is also my opinion that mesothelioma has an really long latency time period, which means that symptoms of the disease might not emerge until 30 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Pleural mesothelioma, which is the most common type and has effects on the area round the lungs, might cause shortness of breath, torso pains, along with a persistent coughing, which may bring about coughing up blood.
— July 1, 2026 @ 17:12
I have seen that intelligent real estate agents all over the place are starting to warm up to FSBO ***********. They are realizing that it’s not just placing a sign post in the front place. It’s really with regards to building relationships with these suppliers who at some point will become buyers. So, after you give your time and efforts to aiding these traders go it alone — the “Law involving Reciprocity” kicks in. Thanks for your blog post.
— July 2, 2026 @ 13:19
Music began playing any time I opened this webpage, so annoying!
— July 5, 2026 @ 14:05
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this post is amazing, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I?d like to see more posts like this.
— July 14, 2026 @ 05:50
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.
— July 16, 2026 @ 02:24
One other issue is that if you are in a circumstance where you would not have a cosigner then you may actually want to try to wear out all of your financial aid options. You can find many grants or loans and other scholarships that will provide you with money to help you with institution expenses. Thx for the post.
— July 19, 2026 @ 00:00
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.
— July 21, 2026 @ 03:30
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
— July 21, 2026 @ 14:45
Thanks for your posting. I also believe that laptop computers are getting to be more and more popular these days, and now are usually the only form of computer employed in a household. This is due to the fact that at the same time that they’re becoming more and more inexpensive, their processing power keeps growing to the point where they’re as robust as desktop computers out of just a few in years past.
— July 21, 2026 @ 23:28
Fantastic site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you in your effort!
— July 22, 2026 @ 08:34
Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Thank you
— July 24, 2026 @ 08:07
I’ve come across that right now, more and more people will be attracted to digital cameras and the subject of picture taking. However, as a photographer, you should first shell out so much period deciding the model of digital camera to buy along with moving store to store just so you can buy the least expensive camera of the brand you have decided to pick. But it doesn’t end just there. You also have to take into account whether you should buy a digital photographic camera extended warranty. Thanks for the good points I accumulated from your web site.
— July 28, 2026 @ 16:25
Automate your game server promotion with TopVote.bot. Request any toplist, and we will add support for it. Launch campaigns in just 2 minutes.
— August 2, 2026 @ 05:02
I have taken note that of all types of insurance, medical care insurance is the most questionable because of the struggle between the insurance plan company’s duty to remain adrift and the user’s need to have insurance policies. Insurance companies’ commissions on overall health plans are extremely low, therefore some businesses struggle to earn profits. Thanks for the ideas you reveal through this web site.
— August 10, 2026 @ 12:34
very nice put up, i definitely love this website, keep on it
— August 11, 2026 @ 03:30