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If you thought New York City's High Line was an impressive reinvention of a former elevated rail line as a public strolling ground, wait until you see the Walkway Over the Hudson, opening Saturday.
The 120-year-old Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge has been transformed into a 1.25-mile-long pedestrian park—the world's longest bridge of its kind—linking the city of Poughkeepsie and the town of Lloyd in New York.
Whereas the High Line offers respite a leisurely 30 feet from the ground, the Walkway Over the Hudson looms 212 feet above the water, offering stunning views of the Hudson River valley to walkers, runners, and bicyclists alike.
Officially a state historic park, the walkway has also been named a National Recreation Trail and will eventually connect to 27 miles of rail trails and riverfront parks, much of which will be completed next year.
Opening weekend events begin with Friday night's Grand Illumination, in which 1,000 volunteers will carry paper sky lanterns in a promenade across the bridge, illuminating it for the first time, and then release the self-extinguishing lights into the sky, followed by a fireworks display. The walkway will not yet be open to the public, but anyone can view the illumination from Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie and across the river at Oakes Road in Highland (a hamlet in Lloyd). (Check out the events Webpage.)
Saturday starts with a re-creation on the river of the famed Poughkeepsie Regatta, hosted by nearby Marist College's crew team. Other activities include music and folk art festivals and river cruises in Waryas Park and the Highland HudsonFest. Also in Waryas Park and in Highland, large screens will broadcast the day's early events from the walkway—including official grand opening ceremony remarks by New York Gov. David Paterson, a parade across the bridge of puppets signifying the flora and fauna and history and culture of the Hudson Valley, and an Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome biplane flyover—until 3 p.m. when the bridge officially opens to the public. That evening, visitors to the bridge are encouraged to don glow-in-the-dark clothing and accessories (break out the glow sticks!) as part of a night circus and light show. The events spill over into Sunday, when the walkway will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The bridge is within walking distance of Poughkeepsie's train station, accessible from NYC and from any city with an Amtrak connection. For this weekend's events, check walkway.org for parking and shuttle bus information.
The opening is part of New York's Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial celebration commemorating the 400th anniversaries of the voyages of Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain, and the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton's spearheading the first long-distance steamboat trip, which traveled up the Hudson River.
The bridge was the longest in the world when it opened, and at one point 3,500 train cars crossed it daily, but a 1974 fire shut the tracks down for good. Repurposing the bridge for public use has been a project 17 years in the making.
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Wow 17 years to bring this project to completion. Persistence pays. An excellent community enhancement that will bring benefits for many decades. I never thought I would say this, but way to go Poughkeepsie!
Posted By Tom B. on October 1, 2009, 3:57 PM
Weird, it kind of sounds like a bridge to nowhere. I wonder if a real picture would have as many people as that illustration above.
Posted By Josh on October 1, 2009, 4:32 PM
If you have seen the number of people on the rail trail on a nice day, I would say that this place will be very popular. When the whole thing is complete it will be a very nice family outing.
I think it is a great thing to happen in Poughkeepsie and look forward to it.
Posted By DEB on October 1, 2009, 8:24 PM
WOW...the ceremonies at the Opening of the Walkway over the Hudson were magnificent and awe inspiring! There were people everywhere from the banks of the Hudson at Warays Park in Poughkeepsie, the Marist College Boat House and the train tracks in Highland, to the thousands that walked the bridge from end to end. The festivities were enjoyed by young and old and all had the same reaction; what an amazing project! From the lanterns we volunteers carried to illuminate the bridge, to the fire lit laterns that were released into the night sky by others, the excitement was building to the grand finale of fireworks in the River below. The Clearwater was in full sail with its occupants experiencing the River from below this grand structure. The views of the Hudson River from this vantage point, that previously only have been enjoyed by those crossing the Mid-Hudson Bridge, are breathtaking. Don't miss the opportunity to check out this new New York State Park! Peace
Posted By Joi Becker on October 3, 2009, 10:47 AM
My dad met with the engineers yesterday around the time they were setting it up and got a personal tour of the bridge. We also saw the fireworks from his car. Its too bad it is such a crapy day, i would go...
Posted By Sofie on October 3, 2009, 12:37 PM
Great, achievement by stalwarts
Posted By PKPILLAI on October 4, 2009, 2:15 PM
Having operated over the bridge in its rail days (1968-1969)as an engineer, I can tell you that the view from this new pedestrian walkway will be nothing less than stunning! One of the most magnificent rivers in the world seen from above against its backdrops of mountains is breath-taking. In all weather conditions the river will reveal its many moods, from misty mystic to frozen wonderland to sunny brilliance.
Posted By Randolph Becker on October 5, 2009, 10:33 AM
I was living in Pouughkeepsie in 1974 and remember the fire. A relative was just visiting Poughkeepsie and on her return - I now live upstate - she was asking me about the activity. I didn't know what she was talking about. Then my sister, who lives in Poughkeepsie, sent me the link. Very cool. What a great addition to the city and what a neat way to rejuvinate an old structure.
Posted By kak on October 5, 2009, 3:20 PM
This walkway offers beautiful views and great opportunities to meet people and exercise. I walked it on Saturday, with hundreds of others wanting to be there on the first day. Rock on Po Town!
Posted By Janice Farrell on October 5, 2009, 8:26 PM
I was right here in Poughkeepsie when the bridge burned and have watched it sadly as I drive by for the last 35. On Sunday I walked across with my wife and 40,000 other lucky, happy and awestruck folks. It is a joy to behold and a testament to the resolve of our local lawyer and biker, Fred Scheaffer, who spearhaded the project for the past few years, a local benfactor Rob Dyson who early on gave two million and hundreds of volunteers. Now, we just need to spread the word of this wonder nationwide. It's worth the trip from anywhere!
Posted By steve e on October 6, 2009, 4:39 PM
Josh, a bridge to nowhere wondering whether it would have as many people as in the illustration? Read Joi's post. I went a three weeks later and had to park quite some distance away. There were cars from other states and on the bridge, I heard many languages with tourists from NYC. In the center of the bridge, there were musicians and there were adults, children, people with bikes and on foot. And of course, it was a dogshow with dogs of all shapes and sizes. So Josh, come and experience this and maybe you'll know that people live here too. Hey, we also have Metro-North to NYC.
Posted By peegee on November 1, 2009, 8:58 PM