POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (Oct. 26, 2021)—A new entrance to the Walkway Over the Hudson announced this week by New York Governor Kathy Hochul was made possible by a strategic Open Space Institute (OSI) land acquisition in 2014. The park’s new $2 million East Gate Plaza expands access from the city of Poughkeepsie and provides an ideal location for community events.
"The new East Gate Plaza in Poughkeepsie will serve as a great resource for showcasing local products and enhancing the overall Walkway visitor experience," said Governor Hochul. "The remarkable scenery of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park continues to attract individuals and families from all over and the new plaza will further highlight the Hudson Valley as a tourist destination."
“The Open Space Institute is proud that our efforts to expand the Walkway footprint set the stage for the creation of the new East Gate Plaza,” said Peter Karis, Open Space Institute Vice President for Parks and Stewardship. “We congratulate State Parks, the Walkway Friends group, and all who share our commitment to making parks and open space more welcoming and accessible to the public.”
The project, funded by the Environmental Protection Fund and State Parks Capital Funds, with support from Friends of the Walkway, includes several innovative and sustainable benefits to the park and the community, including rainwater collection, porous pavement, energy efficiency, and reuse of historic bridge posts.
"These improvements at the Walkway will encourage even more people to explore this amazing place and allow them to better connect with the park and surrounding community,” said State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid.
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.
The world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge, Walkway Over the Hudson consists of a 1.28-mile span of a former railroad bridge and offers sweeping views of the Hudson Valley. More than 6.2 million people have visited since the park opened in 2009 after decades of neglect.