The Rail Park

The Rail Park
Type	Elevated linear park
Location	Center City / Callowhill
Coordinates	39.9611,-75.1567
Area	1/4 mile (Phase 1); 3 miles (planned)
Established	2018
Operated by	Center City District / Friends of the Rail Park
Features	Elevated walkway, native plantings, public art, city views
Hours	7 AM - 10 PM daily
Transit	SEPTA bus routes; walk from Spring Garden Station
Website	Official Site

The Rail Park is an elevated linear park built on a section of the historic Reading Viaduct in Philadelphia. Opening its first phase in 2018, the park transforms abandoned rail infrastructure into vibrant public space—Philadelphia's answer to New York's High Line.

When complete, The Rail Park will stretch three miles through Center City and North Philadelphia, connecting neighborhoods along a continuous elevated greenway.

History

The Reading Viaduct

The Reading Railroad built the viaduct in the 1890s to carry freight and passenger trains into the city. The elevated structure ran from the Reading Terminal at Market Street through the Callowhill neighborhood and north toward Reading, Pennsylvania.

Rail service ended in the 1980s, and the viaduct sat abandoned for decades—a striking industrial ruin visible from surrounding streets. Nature began reclaiming the tracks, with trees and wildflowers sprouting between the rails.

Park Development

Inspired by New York's High Line, community advocates began organizing in 2010 to transform the viaduct into public space. The Friends of the Rail Park formed to champion the project, and the first phase opened in 2018.

Phase 1

The first quarter-mile section opened in 2018:

Features

• Elevated walkway with views of the city
• Native plantings throughout
• Swings and seating areas
• Public art installations
• Historic rail artifacts preserved in place

Location

Phase 1 runs along Noble Street from Broad Street to 13th Street in the Callowhill neighborhood, often called the "Loft District" or "Eraserhood."

Access Points

• 13th Street entrance (main entrance with ramp)
• Broad Street area (western end)

Future Phases

The full vision includes three miles of park:

Phase 2: The Tunnel

• Underground section through a tunnel
• Below-grade connection

Phase 3: The Cut

• Northern extension at street level
• Connection to Temple University area

Long-Term Vision

• Connection to Fairmount Park
• Links to surrounding neighborhoods
• Continuous greenway through the city

Visiting

Hours

• Open daily: 7 AM - 10 PM
• Free admission

Getting There

Location: Noble Street between Broad and 13th Streets

By Public Transit:

• SEPTA Broad Street Line to Spring Garden Station
• Walk from Suburban Station
• Various bus routes on Broad and Spring Garden

By Car:

• Limited street parking in the neighborhood
• Nearby parking garages

By Bicycle:

• Bike racks at the park
• Connect via city bike routes

Tips

• The 13th Street entrance has the main ramp access
• Visit at sunset for nice light
• The park can be crowded on weekend afternoons
• Combine with exploring the Callowhill neighborhood

Surrounding Neighborhood

Callowhill/Loft District:

• Historic industrial buildings converted to lofts
• Art galleries and studios
• Restaurants and bars
• Creative businesses

Nearby attractions:

• Philadelphia Museum of Art (walkable)
• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Spring Arts District
• Chinatown

Significance

The Rail Park demonstrates:

• Adaptive reuse of industrial infrastructure
• Urban green space creation
• Community organizing for public benefit
• Neighborhood revitalization potential

See Also

• Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Reading Terminal Market
• Center City
• Callowhill

External Links

• The Rail Park
• Center City District