Placemakers Lecture

The annual Placemakers Lecture highlights individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to reimagine and reinvent public spaces as public gardens and parks. This year we are showcasing the Friends of the Rail Park, a nonprofit organization working to repurpose a three-mile former rail line as public open space running through the heart of the Philadelphia. Spanning more than fifty blocks above and below street level, the Rail Park will traverse several diverse neighborhoods and link some of the city's most highly celebrated arts, cultural, and educational institutions. Phase 1 of the Rail Park is slated to break ground in this year. Co-founder and Vice President of the Board Liz Maillie will provide an overview of the project, talk about its historical significance, and discuss the placemaking process and transformative potential of the park.