Past Events

Every Tuesday in October, between the hours of 8 AM and 10 AM, the Rail Park is prioritized for seniors (60 and older), to allow our neighbors who are most at risk of COVID-19 infection to safely access the space.

Friends of the Rail Park will be on site distributing PPE and light refreshments, and encouraging folks to mask up and social distance. There will be no amplified sound or formal programming. We expect people to be walking, sitting, and quietly enjoying the park for the entirety of the two hour program

Trail length: 840 feet
Trail surface: Chip seal path (gravel)
Trail width max: 30’
Trail width min: 5’8”
Max slope: 2.8%
11 benches
4 platforms

Accessible entrance at 1300 Noble Street, stairs at 1100 Callowhill
No bathrooms or fixed shelters

We have joined forces with Callowhill Neighborhood Association and Friends of West Poplar to make the Rail Park and the surrounding area even more beautiful by picking up litter and trash as a community.

Planted Pop-Up returns to The Rail Park this May!

Join us on the first Saturday of April, May and June because as we transform the Rail Park into an unforgettable outdoor maker space.

Important Announcement Regarding COVID-19 

Your health and wellbeing are important to us. To keep our community, partners, and staff safe, we are postponing all events at the Rail Park through the month of May.

Ring in the Year of the Rat with the Rail Park at our 2nd annual Lunar New Year celebration, February 8 at 12 noon!

Together with Mural Arts Philadelphia, and American Composers Forum, Philadelphia Chapter, we’re launching a new collaborative arts project that will take place this October: Site/Sound: Revealing the Rail Park.

We’ve rescheduled our BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) Astronomy Night with BalletX at the Rail Park!

Do you live or work in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, or consider yourself part of the Chinatown community? We want to hear YOUR thoughts on the Rail Park!

Join local artist Jerry Kaba and sound musicians from Modular on the Spot for a unique sonic experience on the Rail Park!

Summer brings us outdoor fun, a burst of flora, and our second Planted Pop-Up Market & Plant Swap!

We’re back with a second BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) astronomy night at the Rail Park! Join us under the stars on the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing.

Join us on Second Saturdays throughout the summer for workshops, games, performances, and activities at the Rail Park.

This evening’s event will feature a public discussion and potluck focused around the question: “What is needed to provide a sustainable future in the city of Philadelphia?”

Phase 1 of the Rail Park is turning one! Join us for happy hour at The Patio at Spring Arts to help us celebrate!

Do you live in the Chinatown North/Callowhill neighborhood? As part of a research study with Penn State this summer, we want to learn about your perception of the Rail Park, how you use it, and how it has impacted your neighborhood.

Bring your own picnic and join Oscillation Transia for a free evening of solar-powered outdoor cinema at the Rail Park!

As part of Coast to Coast Chinatowns Against Displacement: Week of Action, Philadelphia Chinatown is telling the community’s stories of struggle and resistance at the Rail Park. Come explore Chinatown’s past, present, and future through activities and educational resources.

Have you tried yoga before? Try it for the first time or the 100th time at this bilingual Spanish/English yoga series at the Rail Park! Tuesday evenings this spring.

Join us during National Bike to Work Day, when the Bicycle Coalition will be hosting an Energizer Station at The Rail Park. Stop by on your way to work or wherever for snacks, coffee, giveaways, activities, and new friends.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) and sit with us under the stars during our first Astronomy Night at the Rail Park! Join the experienced astronomy team from The Franklin Institute as they guide us through an evening of stargazing and celestial tunes.

What makes the plants on the Rail Park unique? Join John from Good Host Plants on a free walk through Phase I to discuss the Rail Park’s native plants ecosystem!

Bubbles, Bubbles, and MORE Bubbles! The magic of bubble artistry comes to life in this family-friendly event that will also feature Murals on the Move, a colorful van stocked with art supplies and equipped with talented teaching artists.

Come celebrate how far the Rail Park has come during a Members Happy Hour hosted by Love City Brewing!

Join us for a street-level walking tour of the Rail Park just as spring is bringing the park back to life. Learn about the history of the site and the vision for the future, ending at the beautiful site of Phase 1.

Come visit this new public park, just a 5-10 minute walk from Chinatown. Led by Yue (PCDC) and Shawn (Friends of the Rail Park), we will walk together and talk about how to make it this park a place for the Chinatown community to enjoy. 

Come join us on April 6 from 9-12 as we clean and green the Rail Park and our surrounding streets!

As part of the city-wide Spring Cleanup, we’ll be clearing vacant lots and sweeping sidewalks around Phase I of the park. Help us brainstorm ways to make the park and surrounding spaces more inviting, safe, and walkable, while learning about other upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Get ready, Philadelphia—we’re welcoming in the Year of the Pig with a big celebration at the Rail Park!

On Friday afternoon, December 14, the Bridgette Mayer Gallery in partnership with Arts+ Crafts Holdings will present a check to the Friends of the Rail Park from the proceeds of the 2018 Benefit Exhibition, Into the Light.

Join us for a street-level walking tour of the Rail Park in the unbeatable fall weather. Learn about the history of the site and the vision for the future, ending at the beautiful, now-open site of Phase 1.

Join five local breweries for an afternoon of music, food, and fun at The Patio at 10th & Hamilton, hosted by the Trestle Inn. Plus there will be a DJ, food trucks, and Rail Park gear available for purchase. And 25% of all ticket sales will support the Rail Park!

Come take a final look at Into the Light, an art exhibition that benefits the Rail Park, at the Closing Reception on October 5.

Join us on Friday, September 7, for the Opening Reception of Into the Light, an art exhibition featuring over 300 works of art—and benefitting the Rail Park.

Join Friends of the Rail Park board members for a street-level walking tour of the Rail Park. Learn about the history of the site and the vision for the park, as you follow along the submerged and elevated sections of the former Reading Railroad.

SAT—July 14, 2018 | 10 AM
SAT—July 14, 2018 | 6 PM
SAT—July 21, 2018 | 10 AM
THU—July 26, 2018 | 6 PM
SAT—July 28, 2018 | 10 AM
SUN—July 29, 2018 | 10 AM
SAT—Aug 4, 2018 | 4 PM
SAT—Aug 18, 2018 | 6 PM

Tours cover 1.5 miles. Sturdy shoes or sneakers and drinking water are recommended. Space is limited, so reserve your tickets early.

The wait is finally over. Phase 1 of the Rail Park will open on June 14, and we couldn’t possibly be more excited.

Please join us for the official opening ceremony:

June 14
11 am
13th and Noble Streets

On March 8, 2018, we’re hosting a cocktail party and concert at Voyeur Nightclub to benefit the Rail Park. The VIP Cocktail Reception from 6-8 pm will feature an open bar, hors d’oeuvres by 13th Street Kitchens and Di Bruno Bros., and Philly DJ Lean Wit It. At 8 pm the main concert will begin, featuring musicians Sango, Bosco, and Xavier Omar, as well as Philly’s own DJs Sylo and Hvnlee.

Join Friends of the Rail Park board members for a street-level walking tour of the proposed site of Philadelphia’s next great public space.

To support the ongoing growth of the Rail Park, we’re throwing a party at the brand new Roy Pitz Barrel House in Philadelphia. We want you to join us.

Every first Wednesday from June to August we host a local rescue with adoptable pets on-site and treats provided by Doggie Style Pets. If you already have a beloved buddy, BYOD – Bring Your Own Dog!

Join Friends of the Rail Park board members for a street-level walking tour of the proposed site of Philadelphia’s next great public space. This street-level tour will follow along elevated and submerged sections of the former Reading Railroad, and tour

Join us for Unsung at The Rail Park, hosted by Mural Arts.