To foster the welcoming, friendly spirit that makes every visit to Walkway Over the Hudson memorable, Friends of the Walkway has launched the Fred Schaeffer Ambassador Legacy Fund to support and grow the park’s beloved volunteer Ambassador program.  The fund will help ensure every guest is greeted by a smiling face with the same warmth, knowledge, and enthusiasm that has defined the Walkway experience since the park’s opening in 2009.

An April 12 event will mark both the dedication of a plaque in Schaeffer’s honor at the Walkway’s Center Overlook and the public launch of the Ambassador Legacy Fund. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. and is open to the public.

Schaeffer, a former chairman and board member of Friends of the Walkway, was a leading advocate in the effort to transform the historic Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge into the Walkway. In the park’s early years, he could often be found opening the gates in the morning for his traditional sunrise bike ride, stopping along the way to greet visitors with a smile, share stories, answer questions, and snap photos.

It was Schaeffer’s vision that the Walkway would be known as “the friendliest park in the world.” To help make that vision a reality, he founded the Walkway Ambassador volunteer program in 2011, creating a model of hospitality that continues to shape the visitor experience today.

Now, more than 150 Ambassadors, recognizable in their trademark red vests, carry forward the tradition he began. They greet visitors from around the world, lead tours, operate the ADA-accessible tram, assist with community events, and ensure that every crossing is more than just a walk, it’s an experience.

“The Ambassador Legacy Fund is about building on what Fred started and ensuring it continues to grow,” said Maureen Solero, Chair of Friends of the Walkway and an Ambassador herself. “Our volunteers are the heart of the Walkway. They create a sense of welcome and connection that visitors remember long after they leave.”

The Ambassador Legacy Fund is designed not only to honor this tradition, but to expand it for the future. The fund will sustain and strengthen the volunteer program by recruiting and inspiring the next generation of Ambassadors; expanding training in accessibility, safety, and visitor engagement; providing uniforms and equipment; and investing in modern tools to support a hospitality program that continues to grow in scope.

“The Walkway Ambassador program is a model for destinations across New York State and beyond,” said Lori Robertson, Executive Director, Friends of the Walkway. “But hospitality at this scale doesn’t happen by accident. With more than 600,000 visitors each year, the Ambassador Legacy Fund ensures we have the resources to support the extraordinary volunteers who bring the Walkway to life today and for years to come.”

To learn more about the Ambassador Legacy Fund or to make an inaugural donation, visit walkway.org/ambassadorlegacyfund.