I love visiting the High Line when I go to New York City. I’ve meandered through this amazing park in the winter and in the summer and am confident it is beautiful in every season. Once home to the New York Central Railroad, the elevated railway turned garden was set to be demolished. Fortunately, a motivated and visionary Chelsea resident took the lead and set up a foundation to transform one and a half miles of the abandoned railway into a recreational space. As the New York Times said, the ‘frog of the railroad was to become a prince of a park.” The High Line has been open for ten years and currently includes fifteen different planting zones and over 100,000 plants inspired by the wild landscape that once grew on the abandoned site.
Imagine my excitement when I learned my home city, Philadelphia, was opening its own rail park inspired by the High Line. The first quarter mile of the three mile park opened in June of 2018 and is situated on the obsolete railways of two rail lines that serviced the popular Reading Terminal Market in Center City.
The first phase of the Philadelphia Rail Park invites visitors to stroll through an industrial part of the city
One of the unique features of the Rail Park is this metal wall highlighting Philadelphia based companies
When you need a rest you can relax on a swing and take in the sights and sounds of the city below
While dogs are welcome, they are encouraged not to water the plants.
Philadelphia Parks and Rec commissioner, Kathryn Ott Lovell commented that the park “will connect neighborhoods during a time when our country needs to be connected and that’s the great power of parks.” I couldn’t agree more. Gardens and landscaped public spaces have the amazing ability to transform our attitudes, lift our spirits and bring us together as a community. If you are able to visit either of these parks I encourage you to do so. I visited Philly’s Rail Park last month and left inspired and wanting more as I experienced my adopted home town from a unique perspective.
Carol thanks for letting us know. This is exciting and I can’t wait to check it out. I am sure it will be a fun and exciting walk.
I think you will like it Jeanette. Next time you are in Philadelphia we will go there!
“left inspired and wanting more”. Exactly! Can’t wait to see when they continue the path.
We will have to go when the expansion is complete!
Thanks Carol! I love the High Line too and am excited that one is emerging in our neck of the woods!
It’s great Annmarie – hope you can visit soon!
natasha.harmuth@outlook.com
I want to check your recommendation out. I like to visit gardens when traveling too. Just returned from Brookgreen gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC. The old oak trees were amazing there.
Sounds like I need to plan a trip to SC. Let me know what you think once you visit.
Thank you, Carol, for spreading info and inspiration to the gardening world through your blogs! This place is now on my ‘”to do” list! I have some catching up to do — get to Highline in NYC! Went to NYC recently but weather not conducive to outdoor touring!!
Both rail parks are great – I encourage you to visit both!