Feral Gardens of the Rail Park

Background:

The Friends of the Rail Park contacted University of the Arts to create new and innovative ways to utilize the Rail Park as a non-tradition, outdoor museum space. Developing ways to engage visitors of the Rail Park with “feral” gardens and interactive experiences reveals the beauty and complexity of such gardens. These feral gardens within the Rail Park help show the relationship of industry to nature, and nature reclaiming what was once devoid of flora or fauna.

Big Idea:

I want to take another look!

Goals:

The feral gardens aim to bring about new discoveries each time a visitor comes to the Rail Park. Through the mostly untamed gardens, visitors will uncover complexities and layers of nature.
Visitors will have a greater understanding of human influence on the natural world.
The feral gardens will also serve as a window into Philadelphia’s character and history.
Local communities and institutions will have opportunities to engage personally with the feral landscape, bringing about a sense of ownership and deeper connection to the Rail Park.

C3 Look and Feel