What a hidden gem below the RAIL PARK!. It is a lovely space to hang out on a beautiful day. It is small, yet, well manicured. It seems there are activities year round such as much or private events (not sure). If I lived here I would make it a ritual to go there to do yoga, eat lunch, or read.

Reading Viaduct Park is a welcome addition to an area of Philadelphia that's been an industrial manufacturing graveyard for years. David Lynch famously depicted his view of the horror of this area in all of its bleak glory in his film Eraserhead. Even Lynch might be pleasantly surprised by the renaissance this area is experiencing--and this new park is a sign of this revitalization. The rails have been incorporated into the design of the park (much like the inevitable comparison to NYC's High Line). This is just phase one and only a few blocks long (there are plans to expand it to 3 miles), but it's a welcome sign of the redevelopment of this once-blighted neighborhood. This first phase of the park stretches for about 3 blocks, with a gravel path through the center. We entered up the stairs (on Callowhill between 11th and 12th; there's also a wheelchair-accessible ramp along Noble St on the bridge over 13th St). There are benches and large wooden bench swings with a view of the warehouses and lofts, with beds of grasses and flowers and a few still immature trees lining the path. It's a beautiful start, and with further development of the park, you can see the potential of this being a green oasis in an area sorely in need of one. We went on a hot sunny day around noon, and as all of the planting is new, there was very little shade. It'd be a good idea to go early in the morning or later around sunset to avoid the blazing heat. Bring some water, since right now there aren't any shops to buy any. With time that's sure to change. This park is a sign of the much-needed reawakening of this neglected area and is sure to spur creative development in the entire neighborhood.