Editing Rail Park (section)

== Callowhill Neighborhood ==

The Rail Park has contributed to transformation of the Callowhill neighborhood, an industrial district that had attracted artists, small businesses, and nightlife as traditional uses departed. The neighborhood's mix of warehouses, lofts, and remnant manufacturing provided affordable space for creative uses but lacked the amenities that residential populations require. The Rail Park provides green space that the area previously lacked while announcing that the neighborhood is changing in ways that attract additional investment.<ref name="railpark"/>

The relationship between park development and neighborhood change generates familiar debates about gentrification and displacement. Rising property values and new development bring amenities and activity but may displace existing residents and businesses priced out of the changing market. The Rail Park's advocates argue that public space benefits all residents, including those who might be displaced, while critics note that park development typically accelerates gentrification processes. These tensions accompany urban improvement projects throughout American cities.<ref name="gallery"/>