{{Short description|Park and viaduct in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania}} {{About|the historic viaduct in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|the historic viaduct in Reading, Pennsylvania|Lindbergh Viaduct|the railway flyover viaduct in Reading, England|Great Western Main Line#Tunnels, viaducts and major bridges}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox park | name = Reading Viaduct / The Rail Park | image = File:The Rail Park.jpg | image_alt=View of Phase I of the Rail Park from just west of the 12th Street overpass | image_size = 325px | image_caption = View of Phase I of the Rail Park from just west of the 12th Street overpass | type = [[elevated park|Elevated]] urban [[linear park]]; [[public park]] | location = [[Philadelphia]], Pennsylvania, U.S. | coordinates = {{Coord|39.96|-75.159|region:US-PA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | area = | created = | opened = {{start date|2018|06|14}} | operator = | visitation_num = | status = Open | website = | map_image = | map_alt = | map_caption = | public_transit = }} The ''' Reading Viaduct''', also called '''The Rail Park''', is a disused elevated rail line in the [[Callowhill, Philadelphia|Callowhill]] district of [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], that has been partly transformed into a [[rail trail]]. The viaduct opened on January 29, 1893, and originally led to [[Reading Terminal]] in [[Center City, Philadelphia|Center City Philadelphia]]. It was abandoned in 1984 after Philadelphia's [[Center City Commuter Connection|Center City Commuter Tunnel]] opened. In 2010, the Center City District and a new community organization, Friends of the Rail Park, began to evaluate options to convert the abandoned viaduct into an elevated park. Phase 1 of the park opened on June 14, 2018.

==History==

=== Railroad use === [[Image:Reading Viaduct.jpg|thumb|left|Reading Viaduct before transformation, 2005]] The [[Reading Company|Philadelphia and Reading Terminal Railroad]] was incorporated on April 13, 1888, leased by the [[Philadelphia and Reading Railway]] on May 1, 1891, and soon began construction.<ref name=":0" /> The viaduct was built by the Reading Company as an approach to the then-new [[Reading Terminal]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/philadelphias-new-rail-park-is-the-citys-answer-to-manhattans-high-line/2018/10/25/fef2f24e-d2e2-11e8-b2d2-f397227b43f0_story.html |title=Philadelphia's new Rail Park is the city's answer to Manhattan's High Line |last=Pruden |first=Scott |date=October 26, 2018 |website=The Washington Post |access-date=September 11, 2019 |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913220354/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/philadelphias-new-rail-park-is-the-citys-answer-to-manhattans-high-line/2018/10/25/fef2f24e-d2e2-11e8-b2d2-f397227b43f0_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The viaduct and terminal opened on January 29, 1893.<ref name=":0">[http://www.thebrandywine.com/photoop/reading_terminal.html Reading Terminal, Philadelphia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The viaduct heads north from Reading Terminal and at Callowhill Junction, forks, with the [[Ninth Street Branch]] formally merging with the current [[SEPTA Main Line]]. The viaduct cuts through the street grid at a diagonal angle, creating several irregularly shaped lots.<ref name="Walsh b374" /><ref name="n165270679">{{Cite news |last=Saffron |first=Inga |date=2004-02-20 |title=Making an old viaduct viable again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-making-an-old/165270679/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |pages=E01, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-new-directions/165270536/ E05]}}</ref> The primary section of the viaduct, the Ninth Street Branch, has four tracks.<ref name="n165271125">{{Cite news |last=Timpane |first=John |date=2009-08-23 |title=Parkland in the air |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-parkland-in-th/165271125/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |pages=C01, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-viaduct/165271201/ C06]}}</ref>

In 1984, the Reading Terminal closed,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robbins |first=William |date=1984-11-07 |title=Old Station in Philadelphia Sees Its Last Train Pull Out |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/07/us/old-station-in-philadelphia-sees-its-last-train-pull-out.html |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Philadelphia's [[Center City Commuter Connection|Center City Commuter Tunnel]] opened.<ref name="Snags">{{cite news |date=12 November 1984 |title=Despite snags, tunnel test is called a success |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/129015451/ |access-date=28 July 2023 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |pages=1, 6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The southern section of the viaduct, south of Vine Street, was razed in 1990 to make way for the [[Pennsylvania Convention Center]].<ref name="Perez-Castells g092">{{cite web |last=Perez-Castells |first=Ariana |date=August 19, 2023 |title=A history of the nearly 20-year battle to transform the Reading Viaduct into a public space |url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-rail-park-callowhill-history-20230819.html |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126093450/https://www.inquirer.com/business/philadelphia-rail-park-callowhill-history-20230819.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The section south of the [[Vine Street Expressway]] ([[Interstate 676|I-676]]/[[U.S. Highway 30|US 30]]) was demolished to make way for the convention center.<ref name="Walsh b374">{{cite web |last=Walsh |first=Thomas J. |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Reading Viaduct 'another opportunity lost' |url=https://whyy.org/articles/9734/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008090209/https://whyy.org/articles/9734/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n165268654">{{Cite news |last=Saffron |first=Inga |date=2011-06-17 |title=A Park on High |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-a-park-on-high/165268654/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |pages=E01, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer-a-park-on-high/165268871/ E07]}}</ref> The rest of the viaduct still exists, as it was too cumbersome to demolish the structure.<ref name="n165268654" /> Additionally, the viaduct was full of pollutants that had to be removed before the structure could be demolished or repurposed.<ref name="n165270679" />

The viaduct includes a {{Convert|1000|ft|m|-long|adj=mid}} westward branch known as the City Branch.<ref name="n165270679" /> The City Branch diverges from the Ninth Street Branch at Callowhill Junction, traveling toward the former Reading Company main line at Belmont Junction. West of 13th Street, the City Branch descends into an [[open cut]] known as the Cut, which was operated by the [[Philadelphia and Reading Railroad]]. The Cut was used until 1992; the final freight customer on the Cut was ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''.<ref name="Burnley e476">{{cite web |last=Burnley |first=Malcolm |date=April 5, 2016 |title=Reading Viaduct Park Would Make Getting Around Philly Easier |url=https://www.phillymag.com/2016/04/05/reading-viaduct/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine}}</ref>

=== The Rail Park ===

==== First phase ==== By the 1990s, the Reading Company's successor firm Reading International Inc. had offered to give the Philadelphia government $2–3 million to take over the viaduct. The city government did not accept this offer.<ref name="Walsh b374" /> In the 2000s, there were suggestions to convert the Reading Viaduct to a [[rail trail]].<ref name="Walsh b374" /><ref name="n165268654" /> This effort was led by two local artists, John Struble and Sarah McEneaney,<ref name="n165270679" /><ref name="n165271409">{{Cite news |last=Loviglio |first=Joann |date=2011-10-17 |title=Transforming Philadelphia's 'eraserhood' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/intelligencer-journallancaster-new-era/165271409/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |work=Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era |pages=8}}</ref> who in 2004 formed a nonprofit called Friends of the Rail Park.<ref name="Perez-Castells g092" /> Students at the [[University of Pennsylvania School of Design]] suggested converting the viaduct into a rail trail similar to the [[Promenade plantee|Promenade Plantee]] in Paris.<ref name="n165270679" /> The success of New York City's [[High Line]], a similar rail trail which opened in 2009, encouraged further efforts to convert the Reading Viaduct to a park.<ref name="Walsh b374" /><ref name="n165271125" /><ref name="n165271409" /> Although gates had been installed to prevent access to the decrepit viaduct, people still trespassed anyway, leaving debris and garbage there.<ref name="n165271409" /> Planning for the park accelerated in 2009 after the Center City District joined the project.<ref name="Blumgart u953">{{cite web |last=Blumgart |first=Jake |date=October 31, 2016 |title=First phase of Rail Park construction underway |url=https://whyy.org/articles/first-phase-of-rail-park-construction-underway/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127084633/https://whyy.org/articles/first-phase-of-rail-park-construction-underway/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The district's leader, Paul Levy, commissioned a study that found that it would cost $36 million to convert the viaduct into a park, versus $50 million to demolish it. In addition, Reading International owed $1.4 million in unpaid taxes and was required to conduct environmental remediation.<ref name="n165268654" />

In 2010, the Center City District and Friends of the Rail Park began to evaluate options to convert the abandoned viaduct into an elevated park.<ref name="Patten 20132">{{cite web |last=Patten |first=Zach |date=September 13, 2013 |title=Rally for the Rail Park to Fundraise for Philly's Own High Line |url=https://philly.curbed.com/2013/9/13/10198246/rally-for-the-rail-park-benefit-party-tomorrow-night |access-date=July 2, 2018 |website=Curbed Philly |archive-date=July 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701042047/https://philly.curbed.com/2013/9/13/10198246/rally-for-the-rail-park-benefit-party-tomorrow-night |url-status=dead }}</ref> They also began raising money for the planned park.<ref name="n165271409" /> The next year, the planned park was included in a master plan for Philadelphia.<ref name="Perez-Castells g092" /> However, residents of the nearby [[Chinatown, Philadelphia|Chinatown]] neighborhood preferred demolishing the viaduct, as they feared that it would lead to [[gentrification]].<ref name="Walsh b374" /><ref name="n165271125" /><ref name="n165271409" /> The Callowhill Reading Viaduct Neighborhood Improvement District was proposed to raise money for streetscape improvements around the viaduct,<ref name="Perez-Castells g092" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Philadelphia |first=Metro |date=September 20, 2011 |title=City Council Amends Callowhill Viaduct NID Creation in Contentious Meeting – Metro Philadelphia |url=https://metrophiladelphia.com/city-council-amends-callowhill-viaduct-nid-creation-in-contentious-meeting/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Metro Philadelphia |archive-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826132649/https://metrophiladelphia.com/city-council-amends-callowhill-viaduct-nid-creation-in-contentious-meeting/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but the district was not created due to local opposition.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brey |first=Jared |date=January 9, 2012 |title=Updated: Votes tallied, Callowhill NID is put to rest |url=https://whyy.org/articles/updated-votes-tallied-callowhill-nid-put-rest/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=WHYY |archive-date=October 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241013004914/https://whyy.org/articles/updated-votes-tallied-callowhill-nid-put-rest/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Philadelphia city and Pennsylvania state governments agreed in 2014 to provide money for the conversion of the Reading Viaduct into a park;<ref>{{cite web |last=Carrión |first=Angelly |date=April 7, 2014 |title=Reading Viaduct Gets Funding |url=https://www.phillymag.com/property/2014/04/07/philadelphia-promises-funding-for-reading-viaduct/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine |postscript=none |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423005314/https://www.phillymag.com/property/2014/04/07/philadelphia-promises-funding-for-reading-viaduct/ |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |last=Graham |first=Troy |date=April 6, 2014 |title=Elevated park on rail viaduct finally firming up |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20140406_Elevated_park_on_rail_viaduct_finally_firming_up.html |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916183745/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20140406_Elevated_park_on_rail_viaduct_finally_firming_up.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the city initially allocated $1.8 million to the project.<ref>{{cite web |last=Graham |first=Troy |date=April 6, 2014 |title=Elevated park on rail viaduct finally firming up |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20140406_Elevated_park_on_rail_viaduct_finally_firming_up.html |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916183745/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20140406_Elevated_park_on_rail_viaduct_finally_firming_up.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, the Center City District received another $1 million from the Philadelphia government.<ref name="Saksa p561">{{cite web |last=Saksa |first=Jim |date=June 10, 2015 |title=Councilman Squilla announces City giving Reading Viaduct Rail Park another $1M |url=https://whyy.org/articles/councilman-squilla-announces-city-giving-reading-viaduct-rail-park-another-1m/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209182938/https://whyy.org/articles/councilman-squilla-announces-city-giving-reading-viaduct-rail-park-another-1m/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Carrión |first=Angelly |date=June 10, 2015 |title=Rail Park Project to Get Additional Funding from City |url=https://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/06/10/reading-viaduct-rail-park-philadelphia-2/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine |archive-date=July 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720222800/https://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/06/10/reading-viaduct-rail-park-philadelphia-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After the city proposed acquiring the spur from [[Broad Street (Philadelphia)|Broad]] to Callowhill Street,<ref>{{cite web |last=Jooste |first=Megan Ritchie |date=May 19, 2015 |title=The Gallery And The Reading Viaduct Are The Darlings Of Today's City Planning Agenda |url=https://philly.curbed.com/2015/5/19/9959826/the-gallery-and-the-reading-viaduct-are-the-darlings-of-todays-city |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Curbed Philly |postscript=none |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224030930/https://philly.curbed.com/2015/5/19/9959826/the-gallery-and-the-reading-viaduct-are-the-darlings-of-todays-city |url-status=dead }}; {{cite web |last=Brey |first=Jared |date=May 5, 2015 |title=City moves to acquire part of the Reading Viaduct |url=https://whyy.org/articles/city-moves-to-acquire-part-of-the-reading-viaduct/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619114526/https://whyy.org/articles/city-moves-to-acquire-part-of-the-reading-viaduct/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the City Planning Commission approved the acquisition in May 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brey |first=Jared |date=May 20, 2015 |title=Planning Commission approves Reading Viaduct acquisition |url=https://whyy.org/articles/planning-commission-approves-reading-viaduct-acquisition/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |postscript=none |archive-date=October 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241012195815/https://whyy.org/articles/planning-commission-approves-reading-viaduct-acquisition/ |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |last=Jennings |first=James |date=May 21, 2015 |title=Headlines: The Rail Park Gets Go-Ahead from Planning Commission |url=https://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/05/21/the-rail-park/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine }}</ref>

Bryan Hanes was hired to design the first phase of the park,<ref name="Hahn h446">{{cite web |last=Hahn |first=Ashley |date=June 6, 2018 |title=In common: Rail Park opens, carrying the freight of a changing neighborhood |url=https://whyy.org/articles/rail-park-opens-carrying-the-freight-of-a-changing-neighborhood/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |archive-date=September 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908085203/https://whyy.org/articles/rail-park-opens-carrying-the-freight-of-a-changing-neighborhood/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Orso v980">{{cite web |last=Orso |first=Anna |date=June 16, 2015 |title=This is what the Reading Viaduct, Philly's new High Line-like raised urban park, could look like... someday |url=https://billypenn.com/2015/06/16/this-is-what-the-reading-viaduct-phillys-new-high-line-like-raised-urban-park-could-look-like-someday/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Billy Penn at WHYY |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003125235/https://billypenn.com/2015/06/16/this-is-what-the-reading-viaduct-phillys-new-high-line-like-raised-urban-park-could-look-like-someday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Philadelphia Art Commission approved designs in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last=Golas |first=Matt |date=June 4, 2015 |title=Art Commission grants final approval to Reading Viaduct Spur and Market St. Memorial |url=https://whyy.org/articles/art-commission-grants-final-approval-to-reading-viaduct-spur-and-market-st-memorial/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |postscript=none |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910020114/https://whyy.org/articles/art-commission-grants-final-approval-to-reading-viaduct-spur-and-market-st-memorial/ |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |last=Carrión |first=Angelly |date=June 4, 2015 |title=Rail Park Update: Philadelphia Art Commission Approves Design |url=https://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/06/04/rail-park-philadelphia/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722050754/https://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/06/04/rail-park-philadelphia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first phase of the project was originally planned to cost $9.6 million.<ref name="Burnley e476" /><ref name="Saffron y487">{{cite web |last=Saffron |first=Inga |date=July 8, 2016 |title=Changing Skyline: Still not enough funding, but Reading Viaduct is a park in all but name |url=https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/changing-skyline-still-not-enough-funding-reading-viaduct-is-park-all-name-20160708.html |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer}}</ref> The commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided a $3.5 million grant in September 2016, which covered all remaining funding shortfalls.<ref>{{cite web |last=Weckerly |first=Anastasia |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Center City District Could Begin Construction on Viaduct Rail Park This Autumn Thanks to $3.5M State Grant |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/center-city-district-awarded-35m-state-grant-for-viaduct-rail-park/2037079/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=NBC10 Philadelphia |postscript=none |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127151732/https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/center-city-district-awarded-35m-state-grant-for-viaduct-rail-park/2037079/ |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |last=Saksa |first=Jim |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Full funding secured for phase one of Rail Park |url=https://whyy.org/articles/full-funding-secured-for-phase-one-of-rail-park/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614210836/https://whyy.org/articles/full-funding-secured-for-phase-one-of-rail-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Construction began on the Rail Park's first phase on October 31, 2016.<ref name="Blumgart u953" /><ref>{{cite web |date=November 1, 2016 |title=$10 million city park upgrade |url=https://6abc.com/construction-is-officially-underway-on-the-long-talked-about-reading-viaduct-rail-park/1582917/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=6abc Philadelphia |postscript=none }}; {{cite web |last=Johncola |first=Amanda |date=October 31, 2016 |title=Old Train Tracks Turn Into Philadelphia's Own High Line |url=https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philadelphia-rail-park-high-line-groundbreaking/120416/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=NBC10 Philadelphia |postscript=none |archive-date=October 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009094557/https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philadelphia-rail-park-high-line-groundbreaking/120416/ |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |last=Bender |first=William |date=October 31, 2016 |title=Viaduct Rail Park project officially underway |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20161101_Viaduct_Rail_Park_project_officially_underway.html |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |archive-date=August 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825140531/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/20161101_Viaduct_Rail_Park_project_officially_underway.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rail Park's first phase added a boardwalk, benches, landscaping, and swings.<ref name="Orso v980" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=The Park {{!}} Friends of the Rail Park |url=https://therailpark.org/the-park/ |access-date=May 10, 2018 |work=Friends of the Rail Park |language=en-US |archive-date=May 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511081451/https://therailpark.org/the-park/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The park's opening was delayed after workers discovered severe deterioration to the bridge that carried the park and Noble Street above 13th Street.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romero |first=Melissa |date=February 7, 2018 |title=Rail Park opening delayed until spring 2018 |url=https://philly.curbed.com/2018/2/7/16980774/rail-park-philadelphia-opening-date |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Curbed Philly |postscript=none |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127083536/https://philly.curbed.com/2018/2/7/16980774/rail-park-philadelphia-opening-date |url-status=dead }}; {{cite web |last=Parent |first=Andrew |date=February 6, 2018 |title=Opening of Philly Rail Park's first phase of construction to be delayed |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/opening-philly-rail-parks-first-phase-construction-delayed/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=PhillyVoice |postscript=none |archive-date=October 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241015211334/https://www.phillyvoice.com/opening-philly-rail-parks-first-phase-construction-delayed/ |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |date=February 7, 2018 |title=Scheduled Opening Of Center City Rail Park Delayed |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/scheduled-opening-of-center-city-rail-park-delayed/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=CBS News }}</ref> The first phase opened to the public on June 14, 2018,<ref name="Merriman t448">{{cite web |last=Merriman |first=Anna |date=June 14, 2018 |title=Long-awaited Rail Park opens first phase |url=https://philly.curbed.com/2018/6/14/17464602/rail-park-opening-ribbon-cutting-callowhill-development |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Curbed Philly |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723151524/https://philly.curbed.com/2018/6/14/17464602/rail-park-opening-ribbon-cutting-callowhill-development |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Sasko 2018">{{cite web |last=Sasko |first=Claire |date=June 14, 2018 |title=PHOTOS: Philadelphia's First Rail Park Is Officially Open |url=https://www.phillymag.com/2018/06/14/philadelphia-rail-park-open/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine}}</ref> having cost $10.3 million<ref name="Perez-Castells g092" /><ref name="Chernaskey q550">{{cite web |last=Chernaskey |first=Rachel |date=June 10, 2018 |title=What to Expect at Philly’s New Rail Park |url=https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/06/09/rail-park-opening-philadelphia/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Philadelphia Magazine |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619144648/https://www.phillymag.com/news/2018/06/09/rail-park-opening-philadelphia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> or $11 million.<ref name="Hahn h446" /> The city's mayor [[Jim Kenney]] predicted that the park would encourage development in the area.<ref name="Perez-Castells g092" /><ref name="Merriman t448" /> The Rail Park began hosting public art festivals in 2019, starting with the Site/Sound festival that October.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crimmins |first=Peter |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Here’s what you’ll see at the Philly Rail Park’s first public art festival |url=https://whyy.org/articles/philly-rail-parks-first-public-art-festival-spotlights-its-locomotive-history/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=WHYY |postscript=none |archive-date=June 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622224037/https://whyy.org/articles/philly-rail-parks-first-public-art-festival-spotlights-its-locomotive-history/ |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |last=Brady |first=Shaun |date=October 2, 2019 |title=Explore the Rail Park of Philadelphia’s future at this free two-week arts festival |url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/philadelphia-rail-park-callowhill-broad-streets-festival-site-sound-20191002.html |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |archive-date=October 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010231641/https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/philadelphia-rail-park-callowhill-broad-streets-festival-site-sound-20191002.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Second phase ==== [[File:Spring_Garden_Street_Station_from_southeast_3.jpg|alt=The Spring Garden Street station, which was formerly located on the viaduct|thumb|The [[Spring Garden Street station]] was located on the viaduct before being demolished in 2021.]] Supporters of the Rail Park were raising $60 million for the second phase, including environmental work and land acquisition.<ref name="Mosbrucker-Garza t666">{{cite web |last=Mosbrucker-Garza |first=Kristen |date=January 19, 2025 |title=Philly's Rail Park raises millions for next phase from state, federal grants |url=https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-rail-park-next-phase-millions-state-federal-funding/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129011343/https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-rail-park-next-phase-millions-state-federal-funding/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was complicated by the fact that the route had never been formally abandoned; this meant that the viaduct could theoretically be reopened for rail service at any time, even though it had been partially demolished.<ref name="Mosbrucker-Garza t666" /> The old [[Spring Garden Street station]], along the northern section of the viaduct, was razed in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Saffron |first=Inga |date=May 12, 2021 |title=As Philadelphia advances streetscape plan for Spring Garden, historic buildings fall to neglect |url=https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/spring-garden-street-green-infrastructure-historic-architecture-church-assumption-reading-station-lawsonia-preservation-demolition-20210512.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517150645/https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/inga-saffron/spring-garden-street-green-infrastructure-historic-architecture-church-assumption-reading-station-lawsonia-preservation-demolition-20210512.html |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref> Work on the second phase stalled for several years,<ref name="Perez-Castells g092" /> and the abandoned Ninth Street Branch portion was used as an illegal dumping ground.<ref name="DOnofrio q631">{{cite web |last=D'Onofrio |first=Mike |date=August 16, 2023 |title=New push to develop defunct railway viaduct into Philly's High Line |url=https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/16/philadelphia-high-line-reading-viaduct |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Axios |archive-date=May 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530061722/https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/08/16/philadelphia-high-line-reading-viaduct |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2022, [[Philadelphia City Council]] member [[Mark Squilla]] proposed legislation that would authorize the city to acquire the rest of the viaduct from Reading International.<ref name="Perez-Castells g092" /><ref name="DOnofrio q631" />

By 2024, Reading International wanted $50 million to sell the unused part of the viaduct, a figure the Philadelphia government was unwilling to pay.<ref>{{cite web |last=Donahue |first=Gabriel |date=July 6, 2024 |title=Philly faces $50 million price tag for essential part in Rail Park extension |url=https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-50-million-rail-park-reading-viaduct-center-city/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |publisher=WHYY |postscript=none }}; {{cite web |last=Toussaint |first=Jensen |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Reading International Puts New $50M Price Tag on Essential Component in Philadelphia's Rail Park Extension |url=https://philadelphia.today/2024/07/new-price-tag-on-rail-park-extension/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=PHILADELPHIA.Today |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717002508/https://philadelphia.today/2024/07/new-price-tag-on-rail-park-extension/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[William Penn Foundation]] gave a $2 million grant in August 2024,<ref>{{cite web |last=Blumgart |first=Jake |date=August 23, 2024 |title=Rail Park expansion one step closer to reality with William Penn Foundation grant |url=https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/rail-park-william-penn-foundation-20240823.html |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=The Philadelphia Inquirer |postscript=none |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120221313/https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/rail-park-william-penn-foundation-20240823.html |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |last=Toussaint |first=Jensen |date=August 30, 2024 |title=$2 Million William Penn Foundation Grant Moves Rail Park Expansion Closer to Reality |url=https://philadelphia.today/2024/08/rail-park-expansion/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=PHILADELPHIA.Today }}</ref> and the federal government provided another $2 million for the park's second phase in January 2025, allowing design to proceed.<ref name="Mosbrucker-Garza t666" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Ciavolella |first=Zach |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Center City District awarded $2M for Rail Park redevelopment |url=https://metrophiladelphia.com/center-city-grant-rail-park-redevelopment/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=Metro Philadelphia |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112233414/https://metrophiladelphia.com/center-city-grant-rail-park-redevelopment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania agreed to provide $475,000 for the project, and additional funds were being raised from private sources.<ref name="Mosbrucker-Garza t666" /> The second phase could connect with the proposed "Stitch", a [[highway cap]] above the Vine Street Expressway.<ref name="Mosbrucker-Garza t666" />

The city government petitioned the [[Surface Transportation Board]] (STB) to declare the viaduct abandoned, which would allow the city to acquire it via [[Eminent domain|condemnation]] and expand the park.<ref>{{cite web |last=D'Onofrio |first=Mike |date=August 4, 2025 |title=Scoop: Philly plans to seize railway viaduct via condemnation |url=https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/08/04/philly-elevated-park-railway-viaduct-greenway |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=Axios}}</ref> In September 2025, the STB ruled that the viaduct, which had been neglected by Reading International for decades, was in fact abandoned and is no longer a railroad under federal jurisdiction. This allowed the city to move toward condemning the property so it could be renovated for public use.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kummer |first=Frank |date=2025-09-26 |title=Philly Rail Park could expand as new federal ruling clears the way |url=https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/rail-park-expansion-callowhill-philadelphia-city-council-20250926.html |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=Inquirer.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Approaches== {{Ninth Street Branch}}

The main line of the [[Philadelphia and Reading Railway]] (originally the [[Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad]] and Northern Liberties and Penn Township Railroad) came into Philadelphia on the southwest side of the [[Schuylkill River]] and crossed at a point northwest of downtown (this line is now used only by freight). It then passed into a tunnel under Pennsylvania Avenue and turned east just north of Callowhill Street. The original alignment turned south along Broad Street, with a passenger station at Broad and Vine. The line continued east past Broad Street for freight to the [[Delaware River]], using Willow Street. The passenger station was later moved to half a block east of Broad Street, on the old freight line. The spur from the viaduct was built just east of this station.<ref name=":1" />

The other Reading line, originally the [[Philadelphia, Germantown and Norristown Railroad]], and now used for passenger service by [[SEPTA]], ran north on 9th Street from the east-west line on Willow Street. Its passenger station was at Ninth and Green, again where the new viaduct merged with the old alignment.<ref name=":1">{{Holton-Reading-1|page=279}}</ref>

== Park description == The Rail Park's first phase stretches from Callowhill Street to Noble Street, along the former City Branch,<ref name="Hahn h446" /><ref name="Lubetkin n242">{{cite web |last=Lubetkin |first=Steve |date=October 1, 2018 |title=Video Tour: Philadelphia Emulates NYC's High Line Park, Opens First Phase of Philly Rail Park |url=https://www.globest.com/2018/10/01/video-tour-philadelphia-emulates-nycs-high-line-park-opens-first-phase-of-philly-rail-park/?slreturn=2025021220944 |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=GlobeSt}}</ref> measuring {{Convert|0.25|mi}} long.<ref name="Chernaskey q550" /> To the west, it is accessed from Noble Street, where that road and the former City Branch cross 13th Street on a bridge; this is the park's [[ADA-accessible]] entrance.<ref name="Lubetkin n242" /><ref name="U.S. News Travel t610" /> The bridge over 13th Street contains several planters. The rest of the park has wooden benches, trees, and raised gardens.<ref name="Hahn h446" /> There is also a mural on the viaduct,<ref name="U.S. News Travel t610" /> in addition to industrial-looking steel frames with swing sets.<ref name="Hahn h446" /> At the east end of the park's first phase, there is a staircase descending to Callowhill Street between 12th and 11th streets;<ref name="Lubetkin n242" /><ref name="U.S. News Travel t610">{{cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=Rail Park Reviews |url=https://travel.usnews.com/Philadelphia_PA/Things_To_Do/Rail_Park_66260/ |access-date=February 12, 2025 |website=U.S. News Travel}}</ref> a steel gate separates the park from the rest of the abandoned viaduct.<ref name="Hahn h446" /> The park is open between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day.<ref name="U.S. News Travel t610" />

The Friends of the Rail Park's original plans called for renovating not only the Ninth Street Branch section of the viaduct from Vine Street to Fairmount Avenue, but also the City Branch to [[Girard Avenue]].<ref name="Burnley e476" /><ref name="Hahn h446" /> The Ninth Street Branch section, known simply as "The Viaduct", extends about {{Convert|0.5|mi}} and creates a "V" shape with the City Branch.<ref name="Chernaskey q550" /> West of the first phase is the Cut, an open cut from Broad Street to the [[Rodin Museum]] at 22nd Street.<ref name="Lubetkin n242" /><ref name="Chernaskey q550" /> This connects with the Tunnel, which extends further west to [[Brewerytown, Philadelphia|Brewerytown]] and the [[Philadelphia Zoo]].<ref name="Chernaskey q550" />

==See also== * [[30th Street Station]] * [[Chinese Wall (Philadelphia)]] * [[Bloomingdale Trail]], a converted elevated line in Chicago * [[Dequindre Cut]], a converted below-grade line in Detroit

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category}} * [http://www.therailpark.org Friends of the Railpark] * [http://viaductgreene.org/ VIADUCTgreene] * [http://www.jjtiziou.net/jj/community/philadelphias-secret-garden Photo Tour: JJ Tiziou, "Philadelphia's Secret Garden", January 8, 2012]

{{Philadelphia parks}}{{Portal bar|Pennsylvania|Philadelphia|Trains}}{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bridges in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Callowhill, Philadelphia]] [[Category:Elevated parks]] [[Category:Landmarks in Philadelphia]] [[Category:Rail trails in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Railroad bridges in Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Reading Company lines]] [[Category:Reading Railroad bridges]] [[Category:Urban public parks]] [[Category:Viaducts in the United States]]