WATCH: Empty Reading Viaduct Lot Transforms Into Beer Garden

Patrons gather at the 2016 PHS Pop Up Garden at 10th and Hamilton Streets in Philadelphia’s Callowhill District. PHS built the pop-up to bring awareness to the planned Rail Park. | Image by Lindsay Lazarski/WHYY

A group of Philadelphians has been working for years to turn portions of the Reading Viaduct, an unused, elevated rail line that cuts across the northern part of Center City, into an elevated park.

You’ve no doubt heard about this, probably in comparison to New York City’s High Line. In the past few years, Philly’s elevated park advocates have made some real progress. Last May, the city started the process of buying a portion of the rail line from SEPTA. Last June, City Councilman Mark Squilla announced that the city was giving $1 million to help develop the park. Advocates hope it will be green and accessible, and make it easier to get around the city.

And now there’s a beer garden right next door. Lindsay Lazarski at Keystone Crossroads published a video story that tracks the transformation of a former parking lot into the new PHS Pop Up Garden at the Viaduct Rail Park.

The beer garden opens tonight at 5:30 p.m. Enter at the corner of 10th and Hamilton streets.

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