The Walkway Over the Hudson merchandise and information pavilions in Highland and Poughkeepsie are now open for the season, with essential health-forward modifications in place.  Staffed by volunteer Ambassadors, the Friends’ pavilions offer visitors the opportunity to purchase merchandise, learn about Walkway membership, receive assistance, or ask questions about the bridge and the surrounding area.  Ambassadors are trained to provide information about the Hudson Valley and other attractions. With construction underway on the east approach to the Walkway, Ambassadors will work out of the information window at the Dutchess Welcome Center this season.

Volunteers staff the pavilions on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., weather permitting. To respect social distancing, staffing levels have been reduced. Enhanced sanitization procedures are in place, and appropriate shields and spacing between volunteers and the public have been installed. All Walkway guests are required to wear a face covering when interacting with an Ambassador. Please adhere to the directions on posted signage.

For the safety of all guests and volunteers, pavilion operations have been modified. Items are not available to be tried-on, and all purchases are to be made with exact change or via credit/debit cards. Merchandise available includes Walkway logo t-shirts, hats, stickers, pins, postcards, souvenirs, and more. A full selection of items is also available online at shop.walkway.org.

Walkway Ambassadors are specially trained Friends of the Walkway volunteers who enhance visitor’s experience in numerous ways. They are tasked with creating a welcoming environment on the Walkway, promoting safety, helping to execute a diverse series of programming, and more.

Easily identifiable in their red vests, the Ambassadors additionally serve as tour guides, greeters, and provide information during times of peak usage at the Walkway, which has attracted nearly six million visitors since its opening in 2009. Walkway Ambassadors support New York State Parks and the many local nonprofit events on the bridge, helping raise thousands of dollars each year.

Anyone interested in joining the Walkway’s corps of more than 100 volunteers, please contact Director of Programs and Community Engagement Theresa Sanchez at tsanchez@walkway.org or 845-454-9649.

Pavilion and volunteer operations are supported by individual donations, business sponsorship, and Walkway members. With packages beginning at $40 per year, members sustain the Walkway’s ability to host free and low-cost community programming, undertake new construction projects, add amenities, and much more. For complete information, visit join.walkway.org.