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.
Our full vision reaches for miles
Download the full mapPhase 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.
The Viaduct
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.
The Cut
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.
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.
The Future
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.