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Our vision is to build a three mile greenway

One that connects people to the city and each other

The Rail Park started with Phase One, a quarter-mile section of the historic elevated Viaduct in Philadelphia. After years of planning and fundraising, it opened to the public in 2018.

The TunnelThe CutPhase OneThe Viaduct

Our full vision reaches for miles

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Phase One of the Rail Park is now open, and this is just the beginning. Our plans for the park reach across three miles of historic rail lines, connecting 10+ neighborhoods from Northern Liberties to Brewerytown — and our goal is to bring the whole park to life.

We want this site to become a greenway, filled with pathways and plants, with open spaces and inviting faces, and all kinds of programming that will serve Philadelphians and visitors alike.

A group of people surrounds a table filled with pots and paints. People are painting the pots and a person holds plants to put into the pots.

Strengthening community

This park will be anchored and activated by community programming celebrating Philadelphia’s unique arts and culture, nature, and health and wellness opportunities.

People stand at a table decorating paper and paper fans with caligraphy.

Connecting 10+ neighborhoods

When finished, this park will reach from Northern Liberties to Brewerytown, connecting many neighborhoods in between.

An image of the Story Wall at the Rail Park: an 80 foot galvanized steel wall that illustrates an 1895 atlas of Philadelphia with cutout icons of the businesses that were around the neighborhood at that time

Three miles, three sections

Our vision reaches for three full miles, with three distinct sections that run underground, between streets, and overhead.

A group of people standing in a circle

A movement for public space

The Rail Park is part of a growing movement of infrastructure reuse projects, supporting community development and transforming cities in the process.

An aerial image of Phase One of the Rail Park and the undeveloped, overgrown Viaduct, with the Philadelphia skyline in the background

Connected across cities

As a part of the High Line Network, we are working to bring bold, transformative and inclusive public space to life for Philadelphians and visitors alike.

A swing at the Rail Park. A large galvanized steel beam holds a wooden swing along a white gravel path

A green space for all

This park is being built for young and old, artists and athletes, neighbors and visitors alike, connecting Philadelphians to the city and each other.

A group of people surrounds a table filled with pots and paints. People are painting the pots and a person holds plants to put into the pots.

Strengthening community

This park will be anchored and activated by community programming celebrating Philadelphia’s unique arts and culture, nature, and health and wellness opportunities.

People stand at a table decorating paper and paper fans with caligraphy.

Connecting 10+ neighborhoods

When finished, this park will reach from Northern Liberties to Brewerytown, connecting many neighborhoods in between.

An image of the Story Wall at the Rail Park: an 80 foot galvanized steel wall that illustrates an 1895 atlas of Philadelphia with cutout icons of the businesses that were around the neighborhood at that time

Three miles, three sections

Our vision reaches for three full miles, with three distinct sections that run underground, between streets, and overhead.

A group of people standing in a circle

A movement for public space

The Rail Park is part of a growing movement of infrastructure reuse projects, supporting community development and transforming cities in the process.

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An image of the Story Wall at the Rail Park: an 80 foot galvanized steel wall that illustrates an 1895 atlas of Philadelphia with cutout icons of the businesses that were around the neighborhood at that time
A group of people standing in a circle
An aerial image of Phase One of the Rail Park and the undeveloped, overgrown Viaduct, with the Philadelphia skyline in the background
A swing at the Rail Park. A large galvanized steel beam holds a wooden swing along a white gravel path
A group of people surrounds a table filled with pots and paints. People are painting the pots and a person holds plants to put into the pots.
People stand at a table decorating paper and paper fans with caligraphy.
Closeup of a plant at dusk
View of the park
View of Center City Philadelphia from the Rail Park
Overhead shot of the Rail Park

The Viaduct is an elevated section of the former Philadelphia and Reading Railway 
and its 9th Street Branch.

The now unused rail line reaches from the site of Phase One down to Vine Street, then arcs back north and east toward Fairmount Ave. When complete, this stunning section of the park will overlook city streets and offer incredible skyline views.

Close up foliage at the Cut
Overgrown foliage at the cut
Overhead view of the park
Closeup of foliage growing from a wall

The Cut is an open air section of land that runs below street level, connecting the Viaduct to the Tunnel.

It runs from North Broad Street near the old Inquirer Building to behind the Rodin Museum, where 22nd St meets Pennsylvania Ave. It’s lined with 30-foot high stone walls and crossed by a series of bridges that support the city’s north and south bound streets.

View of graffiti in the tunnel
View of graffiti in the tunnel
Sunlight shining into the tunnel

The Tunnel is a wide, beautiful space extending 3,000 feet underneath Pennsylvania Ave between 22nd and 27th Streets.

Open air shafts in the streetscape above illuminate the space with natural light, while the stone walls and vaulted brick ceilings reach 25 ft high.

Rendering of a future phase
Rendering of a future phase
Rendering of a future phase
Rendering of a future phase

We’re conducting a feasibility study that will be completed in 2022.

We’re examining how much our full project will cost, which will help us determine which section to start working toward next.

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