Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

The Walkway Over The Hudson is a story of a community that came together to rescue a landmark bridge. The old Poughkeepsie - Highland Railroad Bridge was abandoned after a fire in 1974. It sat for decades deteriorating because it was too expensive to tear down. On October 3rd, 2009 the restored bridge was finally opened to the public. Take the walk and you will see how obvious it is that this river community is so very proud of our new Walkway Over The Hudson, but be sure to bring your sneakers - it's 3 miles to walk from one end to the other and back (1.5 miles each way).

For a better glimpse of the bridge on fire in 1974 click on this link: http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/pbpj743.Html

I visited the Walkway Over The Hudson this week and had the chance to experience the beauty of the Hudson Valley during the prime time for fall foliage - while standing directly above the Hudson River. I am pleased to be able to share my photos below.

This recycled 120-year-old Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge is now considered to be the world's longest pedestrian bridge.

Fred Schaefer is a local Poughkeepsie real estate attorney who I have had the pleasure of working with during my real estate career. I remember a few years back there had been a couple of different functions within the same month where Fred approached me and several other real estate agents - he couldn't stop talking so enthusiastically about the development of the bridge. Funny, I just could not see it coming together like it did - and, now today it is just as he had described. Yes, at that time I had my doubts. Fred offered to take us up to the bridge for a sneak preview - I had concerns about the structural integrity and graciously declined. No way was I going to go up there on that old relic! I was convinced the deteriorating bridge would crumble and I would fall to my death!

Fred continued to pursue his vision and successfully spearheaded this project which has even been featured by the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/25/nyregion/25metjournal.html What a wonderful legacy!

For more information about The Walkway Over The Hudson and for frequently asked questions click on the link below: http://walkway.org/

For more information about the history of the bridge click on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poughkeepsie_Bridge

This is the view of Poughkeepsie from the Highland side of The Walkway On The Hudson (1.5 miles away)

This is the view of the Mid-Hudson Bridge from the Pedestrian bridge ,a.k.a. The Walkway on The Hudson