For the first time, the community is invited to participate in a unique naming opportunity at Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park and “adopt” one of the 454 solar lights that adorn the bridge’s northern railing.  When a light is adopted, the Friends of the Walkway nonprofit organization installs a personalized plaque on the light with a customizable message for all to see. Solar lights are available for adoption with a donation of $1,500 and all funds raised will maintain each light and its surroundings for five years.

“The Walkway is a place where people from all walks of life can come together and be on equal footing. It’s a place where neighbors meet, friends gather, and strangers can become friends,” said Lori Robertson, Executive Director, Friends of the Walkway. “The Adopt-A-Light program not only helps us raise vital funds to directly support our programs, operations, and maintenance, it’s also an extraordinary way for Walkway supporters to let every visitor know what the park means to them.”

Adopting a light is the ideal way to commemorate a special occasion, share a birthday wish, welcome a new baby, congratulate a graduate, honor someone important, make a marriage proposal, or let the Hudson Valley know that you love the Walkway and want to see it thrive. Each light is individually numbered from 001 – 454, allowing adopters to choose one significant to them, and with lights spanning the entirety of the 1.28-mile span, you can choose your view, too.

Each installed plaque measures 4” tall by 12” wide and is affixed to the light of the donor’s choosing. Inscriptions can be a maximum of 44 characters, with 22 centered in each row.  This tax-deductible, exclusive naming opportunity is open to individuals, families, and local businesses.

In 2022, the Friends of the Walkway and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation engineered and installed 454 custom-designed solar lights to the northern railing of Walkway Over the Hudson. These lights improve safety and security in the park, enhance popular events like Walkway at Night and the July 4^th Fireworks Spectacular, and illuminate the Walkway to the Hudson Valley after dark.

For complete information and to begin the process of adopting a light, visit walkway.org/adopt.