Classmates

I came to Poughkeepsie in 1974, just in time to see the Poughkeepsie railroad bridge burn. The bridge lay dormant and abandoned until the early 1990’s when a grassroots group formed "WOTH" to try use it for a walkway. Their original idea was to fund it with donations and fun-raising events instead of using government money.

I remember clearing brush, bake sales and the selling of wooden planking to bridge the river.

Eventually, it was decided that if the walkway was to became a reality they must use government monies. So they applied for grants from New York State and Federal stimulus money. Walkway over The Hudson came to fruition and opened in October 3rd, 2009, the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s trip.

In the beginning there were a number of nay sayers and people who thought it was a waste of money.

The walkway was turned over to New York State and has turned out to be the second most visited state park in New York behind Niagara Falls.

I am a Walkway Ambassador. I give tours and talks to visitors and act as the "eyes and ears" for the State Parkway.

Stop on by, I love talking about the Walkway.