The Rail Park

Urban Oasis

Tucked within Philadelphia's urban landscape, The Rail Park transforms a piece of the city's industrial past into a refreshing green escape. This linear park, which opened its first quarter-mile stretch in June 2018, is built on the former Reading Viaduct in the Callowhill neighborhood.

Running from Noble to Callowhill Street, this elevated retreat offers something special - a peaceful breathing space with stunning skyline views while remaining firmly in Philly's bustling heart. It's small but mighty, providing a momentary pause from city life without having to leave the city.

Design & Features

What makes The Rail Park unique is its thoughtful blend of old and new. The park preserves the soul of its railroad heritage through exposed steel beams and weathered stone walls, while introducing contemporary landscaping that softens the industrial edges.

Let's talk about those swinging benches - easily the park's most treasured feature. These aren't your typical playground swings; they're sturdy, oversized seats where you can gently sway while taking in the cityscape. They're particularly magical around sunset when Philadelphia begins to twinkle with lights.

Over the years, the park's greenery has really come into its own. Trees and plants that once seemed tentative additions have matured, creating a more lush environment that continues to evolve with each season.

Art & Culture

Art finds a natural home at The Rail Park. Among its art installations, the vibrant mural Sendero Verde by artist Dora Cuenca stands out, celebrating nature's restorative power with its bold colors and organic forms.

The park has become a gathering place too. Friends of the Rail Park organizes cultural events for everyone - from casual summer gatherings to Lunar New Year celebrations complete with traditional dragon and lion dances. You'll often find photographers capturing the unique perspectives, friends meeting for picnics, or individuals simply finding a quiet moment above the city streets.

Future Vision

What exists today is just the beginning. The complete vision for The Rail Park stretches an ambitious three miles, eventually connecting neighborhoods from Fairmount Park to Northern Liberties. The master plan includes three distinct sections: the elevated Viaduct (part of which is already open), the below-grade Cut, and the underground Tunnel.

Many draw comparisons to New York's High Line, however The Rail Park is currently much more modest in scale. The planned expansions would connect 10 neighborhoods and approximately 50 city blocks, potentially creating a green corridor through Philadelphia.

Each section presents its own character and development challenges, with Phase 2 currently awaiting railroad approval before moving forward.

Visitor Information

The Rail Park welcomes visitors daily from 7AM to 10PM with no admission fee. It's dog-friendly, with waste bags conveniently provided at the entrance. You can find street parking nearby, but spaces can fill up quickly.

Note that accessing the Noble Street entrance can be tricky from Broad Street due to ongoing construction in the area. The current section is relatively short - you can walk its length in about 10 minutes - making it a brief but rewarding urban adventure.

Management

The park thrives through collaboration between the Center City District, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Friends of the Rail Park. This partnership ensures the space remains well-maintained while developing programming and planning for future expansion.

The Friends of the Rail Park, a nonprofit organization, leads fundraising efforts, working with businesses large and small to support this growing green initiative in Philadelphia's urban core.