Reading Viaduct facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Reading ViaductThe Rail Park |
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View of Phase I of The Rail Park from just west of the 12th Street overpass
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| Type | Elevated urban linear park; public park |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Status | Open |
The Reading Viaduct, also known as The Rail Park, is an old, unused train track that used to be high above the streets of Philadelphia. Now, part of it has been turned into a cool, green park where people can walk and relax!
In 2010, a group called the Friends of the Rail Park started thinking about how to change this old railway into a new park. They wanted to give the city a special green space.
Work on the first part of the park began on October 31, 2016. This first section is about a quarter-mile long. It stretches from Broad Street to Callowhill Street. This part of the park now has a boardwalk, comfy benches, pretty plants, and even swings! The old 13th Street bridge was also made stronger. This first section of The Rail Park opened to everyone on June 14, 2018.
History of the Rail Park
The Reading Viaduct was built a long time ago, back in the late 1800s. It was part of a big railway system that helped trains get to the new Reading Terminal in Philadelphia. The railway company, called the Philadelphia and Reading Terminal Railroad, started building it in 1888. The viaduct and the train station opened on January 29, 1893.
For many years, trains used these tracks to carry passengers and goods. But in 1984, the Reading Terminal train station closed down. A new train tunnel, called the Center City Commuter Tunnel, opened instead. The old train station building became part of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Even though the trains stopped running, most of the old viaduct still stands today. It's a cool piece of history that has found a new life as a park for the city!
What is a Viaduct?
A viaduct is like a very long bridge. It's built to carry a road or railway over a valley, a river, or even other roads. The Reading Viaduct was built to carry trains high above the streets of Philadelphia. This helped trains avoid traffic and other obstacles on the ground.
The Rail Park Today
The Rail Park is a great example of how old city structures can be reused. It turns something that was once abandoned into a beautiful and useful public space. It's a place where people can:
- Go for a walk or a jog.
- Sit on benches and enjoy the view.
- See different plants and trees.
- Relax and enjoy nature in the middle of the city.
More sections of The Rail Park are planned for the future. This means even more of the old viaduct will be transformed into green spaces for everyone to enjoy!
