The East Gate Plaza of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park (Walkway) has officially opened. The Walkway stretches across the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie on the east bank, and Highland, NY, on the west bank.
With funding support of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and other supporters, the expanded gathering space more than doubles the size of the path near the Washington Street Stairs and provides a scenic and convenient location for community events.
The hallmark of the East Gate Plaza includes a walk-in space for guests to purchase Walkway merchandise, improved access to snacks, drinks, and other items, and a covered pavilion with audio/visual capabilities to support events, tours, and special programs. Part of the project is on property that State Parks acquired through the support of the not-for-profit Open Space Institute.
Additional benefits of the project include:
- Rainwater collection from roofs into a cistern for irrigation use.
- Permeable/porous pavement material to reduce stormwater runoff.
- Replacement of a decaying retaining wall from the bridge’s original construction in the 1880s.
- Re-use of the historic bridge posts into the railing system.
- Energy Efficiency: heat-pump for heating and cooling, lighting.
- Bike racks
- More seating
- Landscaping
The $2 million project was funded through State Parks Capital Funds, the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and support from the Friends of Walkway.
The world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, the 1.28-mile span of a former railroad bridge offers sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and draws some 600,000 visitors annually. More than 6.2 million people have visited since the park opened in 2009 after decades of neglect.
For more information call (518) 474-0456 or visit the State Parks website.
Photo of Walkway over the Hudson provided.
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