One Tank Adventure: Walkway Over the Hudson

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — The question was, If they build it, will people come? The answer to the question — 10 years after the Walkway Over the Hudson opened to the public — is a resounding "Yes."

More than 5 million people have visited the former fire-damaged railroad bridge over the Hudson River since it was repurposed into a linear New York state park.

And a Pattern for Progress Quality of Life study found that tourism from the Walkway is boosting the local economy, with first-time and returning visitors eating in local restaurants and shopping in the area.

The 1.28-mile span, which connects the City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County with the Town of Lloyd in Ulster County, now draws nearly 600,000 visitors annually, a state parks spokesperson said.

When it opened in 2009, the Walkway was amazing. But since opening, even more has been added: a staircase opened from Washington Street/Route 9G in Poughkeepsie to the start of the bridge, a glassed-in elevator from the Poughkeepsie waterfront whisks visitors up to the bridge and visitor welcome centers have opened on both sides of the Hudson River.

The Dutchess-side welcome center saw a grand opening Thursday with state and local officials, Walkway board members and supporters and the public witnessing the ribbon cutting.

The new 1,800-square-foot welcome center, with entrances off both Washington Street and Orchard Place in Poughkeepsie, cost $3 million and has bathrooms, bike racks, tourist information, an outdoor patio area with seating and a dog-friendly water fountain.

The revelation of new bathrooms did not go unnoticed.

Prior to the opening of the Dutchess welcome center, visitors to the Poughkeepsie side of the linear park had to avail themselves of portable toilets.

Erik Kulleseid, commissioner of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, in his pre-ribbon-cutting statement, noted that he had just driven from Long Island to be at the opening ceremony.

"I can tell you that the bathrooms are in good working order," he said.

In Poughkeepsie, the Walkway also connects to the Dutchess Rail Trail, a 13-mile multi-use trail from the former Hopewell Junction train depot. The trail forms part of the proposed Empire State Trail, which envisions a multi-use trail from Manhattan to the northern tip of Lake Champlain and from Albany to Buffalo.

Also new as of Thursday's ceremony was the reopening of the elevator that was rebuilt with "energy chain" technology that was not available when it was first installed.

The elevator takes visitors from Upper Landing Park on the banks of the Hudson River up 212 feet — or 21 stories — to the Walkway. Upper Landing Park is a short walk from Poughkeepsie's Metro-North train station.

What you need to know if you go:

Where is it? Entrances are located at 87 Haviland Road in Highland and 61 Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie.

Is there parking? Nearby free parking and fee-based parking lots operated by the state parks ($5 for four hours) near both entrances. Go to the FAQ for more information.

How much does it cost? The Walkway is free year-round, except during special events, such as the upcoming July 4th Fireworks Spectacular.

When is it open? 7 a.m. to sunset. The Walkway may close for lightning or other inclement weather conditions. Call to confirm: 845-834-2867.

When is the elevator open? 9 a.m. weather permitting. It closes one hour prior to the park closing.

For more information, visit the Walkway Over the Hudson website.