Wednesday, July 23, 2025

What is the Community First Plan?

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Introducing the Community First Plan

We’re excited to embark on our Community First Plan—a vision and strategy to make sure the Rail Park’s growth uplifts everyone, starting with the neighborhoods next door.

This plan centers the voices of residents, local leaders, and community organizations to guide how the park evolves and make sure the Rail Park reflects the community, responds to real needs, and becomes a place where public space results in public good.

From affordable housing to cultural programming, job opportunities to accessibility, we want to explore what our communities need and how we can support those goals.

Learn more about why we're thinking about this!

Let’s Grow Something Great, Together

We believe that the future of the Rail Park should be co-created with our community. That’s why we’re inviting YOU to help shape the Community First Plan.

Focus Groups

Come for our focus groups at these locations to speak with your neighbors and have your voice heard on topics facing Philadelphians. Free food and childcare will be available at each meeting.

Thur. 3/26 6:00p | Mural Arts Offices 1727 Mt. Vernon St

Tues. 4/7 6:00p | Congregation Rodeph Shalom 615 N Broad St

Virtual Focus Groups

Can’t make it in person? Join one of our virtual focus groups to share your thoughts and experiences from anywhere. These online sessions offer the same opportunity to be heard in a convenient, accessible format.

Thurs. 3/25 6:00p | Zoom

Office Hours

Would you rather speak to a staff member one-on-one? Meet us at our "office hours" on the following dates to speak with us about what's on your mind.

*Additional office hours to be announced!

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Members

Thank you to the Community Advisory Committee members who have generously shared their time, insight, and lived experience to help guide and shape this work:

Blake Carroll, Vivian Chang, John Chin, Akeem Dixon, Melissa Fogg, KG Gormley, Molly Hartman, Daren Jin, Alain Joinville, Alli Lau, Kelly Lawler, Reverend Wayne Lee, Diana Lind, Lauren Lowe, Yvonne Lung, Miles Owen, Gloria Page, Jawad Pullin, Cam Pursel, Tati Rudolph, Patrick Sherlock, Mark Squilla, Kira Strong, Shalimar Thomas, Andy Toy, Ngan Tran, Cade Underwood, Rachael Viscidy, Jada Walton, Sophia Wan

Past Events

September–November 2025 | Various Community Meetings

We presented at:

Callowhill Neighborhood Association | Oct 13th
Philadelphia Chinatown Community Development Corporation | Oct 14th
Neighborhoods Across Market | Oct 16th
Spring Garden Civic Association | Oct 21st
Fairmount Civic Association | Oct 30th
Logan Square Neighborhood Association | Nov 11th
Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association | Nov 12th
14th Community Organization | Dec 4th

We met with Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) across Philadelphia to share information about the Community First Plan and why it is needed.

During these meetings, we introduced the overall planning process and discussed how community input will guide the work ahead. We also shared information about upcoming focus groups and other opportunities for engagement.

Couldn't join us? View the presentation

September 17th | Community Advisory Committee Kick-Off

Our Community Advisory Committee has helped guide this work.

We held our kick-off meeting at the Crane to introduce the committee to the overall process and receive their feedback on the preliminary work and research.

August 14 at Design Advocacy Group | Public Space: Public Good

Our friends from 11th Street Bridge Park and the High Line Network joined us and discussed their efforts and experiences in equitable development so that we can see what strategies have worked in other cities and determine what tools might work in Philadelphia.