VISIT

State Historic Park

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a linear walkway spanning the Hudson River. At 212 feet tall and 1.28 miles long, it is the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. The park is managed and maintained by NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation - Taconic Region. Walkway State Park officially opened to the public on Saturday, October 3, 2009.

NYS Parks Office
Walkway State Park Office
87 Haviland Road
Highland, NY 12528
845-834-2867
Office hours 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Walkway West (Highland) Entrance
87 Haviland Road
Highland, NY 12528

Walkway East (Poughkeepsie) Entrance
61 Parker Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

About The Park

• Access to Walkway State Historic Park is free of charge, although there is a $5 fee to park in the New York State parking lots on Parker Avenue (in Poughkeepsie) and Haviland Road (in Highland). Permit fees also apply for some special events.
• Walkway State Historic Park boasts a glass-enclosed, 21-story elevator that has already welcomed over 200,000 riders! The entrance to the elevator is located at Upper Landing Park. Elevator Hours and Operation Hotline: 845-834-3641.
• The Park is open and staffed 7am to Sunset. (Note: All state parks close at sunset.) Selected volunteers open the gates at sunrise, weather permitting. The Park is open at night only for special events.
• The Walkway is designed to allow year-round use; however the Walkway is sometimes closed during periods of inclement weather (e.g. thunderstorms, snow and ice). Snow is cleared from the bridge during the winter months.
• Emergency vehicles can access and cross the bridge from either direction. The width of the approaches, bridge and the gates are wide enough and the bridge is strong enough to handle the loading of the biggest emergency vehicle currently in service.
• Only human powered equipment is allowed except for ADA compliant wheelchairs. No other motorized vehicles are allowed, including Segways and RipSticks®, which are not allowed in any NY State Park.
• The east end of the park is in downtown Poughkeepsie, which is currently served by City transit busses, shuttle busses from nearby colleges, and the Poughkeepsie Amtrak/Metro-North station. The Washington Street stairway access is less than half a mile from the train station and the Market Street bus stops. Bicyclists currently using Metro-North are allowed to bring their bicycles. There is a permit required and a fee of $5.00. Rules and regulations are on Metro North’s site at http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/bikerule.htm
• Security cameras providing 24 hour surveillance are on the bridge, as well as emergency phones (similar to those used on college campuses). There is a law enforcement presence by New York State Park Police and other security personnel, as necessary.
• There is lighting on both approaches to the bridge, as well as on the bridge itself. The lighting, which will be used for special nighttime events, uses LED technology resulting in very low operating costs, excellent light uniformity and extensive life.
• Leashed dogs and other household pets are allowed on the bridge. Pets must be kept on a 6 foot leash. Pet owners will be responsible for the removal and proper disposal of pet waste. A Doggie Station is located on each approach with a watering station and doggie bags for clean up.
• Basic amenities include restroom facilities at each end of the bridge, signage at the entrances and along the walkway, and “Talkway Over the Walkway,” a guide by cellphone audio tour.
• Walkway restroom facilities include self-composting toilets. Clivus multrum is a type of composting toilet and the name of a company that markets this brand name of composting toilets. "Clivus" is Latin for incline or slope; "multrum" is a Swedish composite word meaning "compost room," thus a "Clivus Multrum" is an inclining compost room. Rapid aerobic composting will bring thermophilic decomposition in which bacteria that thrive at high temperatures (40-60 °C / 104-140 °F) oxidizes (breaks down) the waste into its components, some of which are consumed in the process, reducing volume, and eliminating potential pathogens. (From Wikipedia)
• The bridge will provide recreational uses similar to a trail: walking, biking, rollerblading, jogging, etc. In addition, the Walkway hosts special events and park activities that are compatible with the Walkway. Group events are allowed only by special permit.
  Visit http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/178/hours-of-operation.aspx for more details.
• The Walkway is a carry-in, carry-out Park. There are no waste receptacles on the bridge. There are receptacles at each entrance.
• All visitors should treat each other with courtesy and respect. Dogs should be kept on a 6 foot lead, under control, and at their owner’s side. A zig-zagging dog causes accidents. Bicyclists should ride slowly in the middle and announce their presence with a simple “passing on your left”. Joggers should also stay in the middle and announce their presence. Everyone should watch out for excited children and happy adults who are taking in the sights.
• Cross country skiing is not allowed on the bridge. The surface of the Walkway is cleared of snow through-out the winter.

Uses

The Park offers a wide variety of day-use activities:

• Audio-Visual programs
• Bike riding
• Bird watching
• Dog walking
• Jogging
• Roller skating, in-line skating
• Picnicking
• River traffic observation
• Scenic Views
• Self-guided tours
• Train spotting
• Walking

No skateboards, ripstiks or motorized vehicles are allowed.

Pets

Household pets only; must be on a leash not more than 6 feet long. Retractable leashes are highly discouraged.

Note: Only service animals are allowed on the elevator.