Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York • Page 4

SUNDAY OCTOBER 3. 2010 POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL 4A FROM PAGE ONE WAUQTJAY: Bridge takes great strides in its first year 3 Wltimi CONTINUED FROM 1A Bridge and convert it to a state park that has recorded more than 720,000 visits since it opened. "I am thrilled to share in this celebration with all of you," said Sally Mazzarella, chairwoman of the nonprofit Walkway Over the Hudson group that helps promote and support the span between the City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess and Highland in Ulster County. "There is something truly captivating about the Walkway. We are so proud of it" The major donors who helped support the bridge's restoration were honored with bronze medallions, which were unveiled in the middle of the span.

The environmental group Scenic Hudson, which donated $1 million toward the Walkway's renovation, also was recognized. Two gates on the span's western entrance are now known as the Scenic Hudson Gates. Ned Sullivan, Scenic Hudson's president, thanked the organizations and people who made the Walkway possible work that he said "carried on the grass-roots mission of saving the incredible landmarks of the Hudson Valley." During a private ceremony honoring donors, Mazzarella said the region should be proud that a "crippled relic of the industrial age" was trans- Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park Opened: Oct. 3, 2009. Hours of operation: 7 a.m.-sunset, year-round, weather permitting.

Website: www.walkway.org Facebook: www.facebook.comwalkwayov erthehudson Twitter. www.twitter.comwothshp Parking locations Parking and entrances can be found in two locations: 1) At 87 Haviland Road, Highland, parking is allowed along the north side of the road, with ADA-compliant severely damaged the span. Many believed it would be torn down or left to rust As a freight train rumbled on the tracks below the Walkway on Saturday, Hyde Park resident Jay Forcello stood on the bridge and gazed at the river with his sons, Jay, 11, and Sean, 8. The elder Forcello said "I am thrilled to share in this celebration with all of you. There is something truly captivating about the Walkway.

We are so proud of it." Sally Mazzarella, chairwoman of the nonprofit Walkway Over the Hudson group formed into "something new visitors to enjoy for genera-and vital" for residents and tions to come. "You believed in a dream so powerful, it shook this great state," Mazzarella said. Some of the loudest applause went to Fred Schaef-fer, the Walkway board's past chairman, who was instrumental in making the nearly $39 million project a reality. The Walkway's opening came 35 years after a 1974 fire Ned Sullivan, president of Scenic Hudson, and Elizabeth WaldsteirvHart, executive director of Walkway Over the Hudson, participate in the unveiling of the Scenic Hudson Gate in Highland on Saturday. DwTyl BautisU Poughkerpsie Journal seeing the bridge come alive again over the past year has been great "It was just sitting here doing nothing," Forcello said.

"Now it's beautiful, especially on a day like today." Reach Michael Valkys at or 8454374816. Engineers National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark designation National Recreation Trail designation 2009 Empire State Tourism Excellence Award for Tourism Development 2010 Environmental Protection Agency 2010 Environmental Quality Award Source: Walkway Over the Hudson coverage Coming Monday: An examination of police calls and crime In the Walkway's first year. From Saturday: A look at the local economic impact of the Walkway's first year. Resources To reach the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park office, call 845-834-2867. For more information on the Walkway, visit www.walkway.org.

Source: Walkway Over the Hudson Walkway awards Preservation League of New York Historic Preservation Project Award International Bridge Conference Historic Structure Preservation Award Parks Trails New York Outside the Box Award Society for Industrial Archeology 2009 Project of the Year Roebling Award Association of General Contractors NYS Excellence in Partnering Award American Council of Engineering Companies of N.Y. NYS Engineering Excellence Gold Award American Society of Civil ners to improve the park, and we're not done yet," said Densmore. "As remarkable as it is, we feel we can still improve it in many ways." Reach Emily Stewart at estew-artpoughkeepsiejournal or 8454374882. FUTURE: Lighting, benches coming soon Park (not from the Walkway Over the Hudson Organization). In general, permits are required for groups of more than 25 people, filming or photography, reserved parking or activities requiring amenities or staff from state parks.

Costs range from $40 to $500 depending on the size and amenities needed for your event. For more information, contact state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at 845-834-2867. Source: Walkway Over the Hudson Walkway facts At 6,767 feet (or 1.28 miles) the Walkway Over the Hudson is the world's longest pedestrian bridge. The Walkway soars 212 feet above the Hudson River. Trains first began steaming City of Poughkeepsie, held an Easter sunrise service on the Walkway.

"The minister expected 50 or so people and 250 showed up," Otty said. Some groups that used the Walkway this year have expressed interest in having annual events there, he said. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis, and interested parties should contact the park office at least 60 days before the event Permit costs vary, based on the number of people expected and the impact on the park, he said. "Obviously we cater to those that want to be environmentally sound and are not going to be offensive to our patrons," he said. The Walkway organization also is pursuing funding to buy a 0.8-mile section of for AVf Fall handicapped-parking spaces at the entrance to the bridge.

2) At 61 Parker Poughkeepsie, there is an 80-car parking lot with ADA-compliant handicapped-parking provided. Additional parking may be found, where permitted, along city streets nearby. The park is managed and maintained by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. For specific questions about park regulations, vending permits, events and special requests, contact New York State Parks Walkway Over the Hudson phone line at 845-834-2867 (office hours 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). The Walkway is a venue for walks, runs and other gatherings.

Most activities require a permit from Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic "The Walkway organization will continue to work with many partners to improve the park." Steve Densmore spokesman, Walkway Over the Hudson bridge, and other aesthetic improvements, are expected early next year, he said. Park supervisor Tim Otty said there have been about 720,000 visits to the bridge since it opened. Besides people coming to take a stroll or a bike ride, about 50 groups and organizations have used the Walkway for fundraisers and other activities, he said. The First Congregational Church, on Mill Street in the You'll Like It! Free Sessions across the former Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge on Jan. 1, 1889.

At the time it was the longest bridge in the world. The bridge is a historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The core construction project, which transformed the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge into the Walkway Over the Hudson, cost $38.8 million and took 16 months to complete. The Walkway's 1.28-mile-long deck consists of 973 prefabricated concrete each weighing up to 15 tons. Harrison Burrowes Bridge 4.

Constructors Inc. served as the general contractor for the project while design and engineering was overseen by Bergmann Associates of Rochester. mer railroad bed near the bridge that is still owned by CSX, said Walkway Executive Director Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart That section of trail would link the Walkway Over the Hudson with the Dutchess Rail Trail, which currently ends at Morgan Lake. "Walkway continues to work with CSX, the owner of the former railroad line, to connect a vitally important part of the rail trail," said Waldstein-Hart "We're trying to come to an agreement on the value of the property, so it can be purchased and developed into the rail trail," she said. Funding is also being pursued to construct a visitors center, said Densmore.

The Walkway organization has been and will continue to work with many part- for y4f rv.ii Lr 9am-7pm a sterling silver Bracelet FREE CONTINUED FROM 1A Town of Lloyd, connected an additional five miles of pedestrian and bicycle path to the 1.28-mile bridge. A 20-story elevator is to be built along the Poughkeepsie waterfront and may be complete by the spring of 2012, said Steve Densmore, a spokesman for Walkway Over the Hudson, the organization responsible for the transformation of the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge into a park. That project is in the design phase and is expected to go out to bid soon, Densmore said. Lighting to illuminate the eastern and western approaches should be installed this year. Benches and shade areas in lookout spots along the MARIST The William and Sadie Effron Lecture in Jewish Studies 34th Annual Program Middle East Challenges for the Obama Administration A lecture by David Makovsky Acclaimed writer and Middle East expert Mr.

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