Walkway Over the Hudson
The Walkway Over the Hudson was originally built in 1889 as The Poughkeepsie Bridge, a railroad bridge. It’s now designated as a New York State Historic Park and walkway. Overlooking the Hudson River with breathtaking views, the bridge is a beautiful place to take your family for a walk, jog or bike ride.
Freedom Ride
My three daughters Samantha, 10, Skylher, 7 and Sasha, 6, always ask “where can we ride our bikes where there aren’t any hills or streets to cross?” The Walkway Over the Hudson turned out to be the perfect answer. Just 45 minutes northwest of Westchester in the city of Poughkeepsie, the Walkway was the perfect place to let the kids peddle away without the usual fears of oncoming traffic.
We arrived in mid-afternoon on a sunny day ready to ride. We parked our car for $5 in the lot at the Walkway’s entrance and we were off. I thought this was extremely reasonable for a fun-filled day of exercise and fresh air. The bridge is a hair over a mile and a quarter long each way and is wide enough to ride without feeling crowded. My daughter Samantha observed, “It is so nice to ride next to you and talk Mom. I enjoyed it too, and I didn’t have to keep telling her to slow down and look out for traffic. We chatted about all the things we were seeing, the boats and jet skis going by under us. My other daughters, Skylher and Sasha, were able to ride side-by-side with husband Mel behind them.
History
Signage at the site tells the history of the Walkway. Interestingly, the bridge was used during World War II to carry troops to be shipped overseas. Train cars traveled over the bridge on a daily basis and at that time it was known as the longest bridge in the world, until the tracks were damaged by fire in 1974. The cantilever and steel structure holding up the Walkway bridge now, is the actual original railroad foundation. The Walkway Over the Hudson nonprofit organization assumed ownership in 1998 and talks began of how to provide public access for people on either side of the bridge. In October of 2009 it was open to the public as a pedestrian and cyclist bridge and a New York State Historic Park. Now the bridge serves walkers, joggers, bikers and sightseeing enthusiasts alike.
Amenities
There are benches and refreshments on either side of the bridge as well as restrooms. We brought a picnic lunch with us and enjoyed it on one side of the bridge and then we bought an ice pop from the vendors before we headed back over, the girls loved that part. People who have pets will be happy to know that they are allowed, on a leash. There are also very convenient pet water-stations provided by the park on either side of the bridge, as well as bridge surface temperature readings. The bridge span is very clean and well maintained by the park attendants who you’ll see everywhere. It gave me a good feeling that I was safe and things were taken care of. We enjoyed our visit and would definitely go back one day to have another fantastic experience.
Wendi Reyes is a mother of three daughters, preschool teacher and a freelance writer.
When You Go …
Walkway Over the Hudson 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 845-834-2867 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Hours
Park opens at 7 a.m. year round (weather permitting) Closing times correspond with seasonal sunset From Sept. 15 to Oct. 5 open until 7 p.m From Oct. 6 to Oct. 19 open until 6:30 p.m From Oct. 20 to Nov. 9 open until 6 p.m. From Nov. 10 to Feb. 26, 2012 open until 5 p.m.
Parking
87 Haviland Road, Highland, N.Y. (parking along road) or at 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie. (80-car parking lot)
