#The High Line reopens for socially distant visitors

The High Line park reopened for a lucky and socially-distant first few visitors on Thursday — and oddly enough, many of the neighbors were just as happy.

“The people actually enjoy the tourists and the noise,” as well as being gawked at, said a bemused doorman at 500 W. 23rd — one of the buildings with wide-windowed units facing the popular West Side landmark.

“It’s got to be a fetish or something,” he mused.

When the lushly landscaped park opened on an abandoned, elevated railway in 2011, neighbors complained of being continually gawked at.

But on Thursday, many, like Jesse Charland, who has lived for 40 years at 458 West 17th street, were happy that the park had reopened after closing in March due to the pandemic.

After so long, Charland is not bothered by curious tourists who peep through his window.

“Well, I can see them, too!” Charland said of the park amblers.

“We’ve gotten used to it, it’s just part of the deal now.”

Sure, there have been some lifestyle changes, he joked.

“I don’t walk around naked, so there’s nothing really for them to look at,” he said.

“The High Line is a wonderful thing, even if we have to put up with a little inconvenience,” he said.

Only 100 lucky people at a time enjoyed the park, — but for the fortunate few, it was a magical visit without the usual throngs.

“This was great — we weren’t even close to anybody,” said Bridget Farkas, one of the first to visit. She lives nearby with her boyfriend, Charles Joseph.

“It’s hard to see and enjoy the High Line with a bunch of people behind you pushing you to keep moving,” Joseph agreed.

Bonnie Page, 52, came with her daughter, Shay Andrews, to celebrate her 31st birthday.

Mother and daughter agreed it’s much nicer to visit the park without throngs of other visitors.

“I hope they keep it likes this, with the timed entry, even when it’s safe, so people can enjoy it,” Page said.

Access is via a free, timed-entry reservation online.

Entry is only at Gansevoortt Street, and all visitors must move northward through the park, which is only open to 23rd Street. All other access points are exit-only.

Masks are required, and visitors are instructed to remain six feet apart.