Friends of the Walkway

A nonprofit partner of New York State Parks, Friends of the Walkway connects communities and enhances the Walkway experience for all.

Friends of the Walkway is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park - a 1.28-mile linear park that connects the Town of Lloyd in Ulster County and the City of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County. As a vital connector of regional rail trails - including the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, and the Empire State Trail - the Walkway serves as a hub for recreation, tourism, and community engagement in the Hudson Valley. More than 600,000 people visit the park each year.

Founded in 1994, Friends of the Walkway is the park’s principal philanthropic and community partner, working closely with New York State Parks and the New York State Bridge Authority to ensure the long-term care and success of this iconic public space. Our efforts have helped secure over $55 million in public and private funding to transform the former railroad bridge into a world-class destination - and to sustain it for generations to come.

We raise funds, cultivate partnerships, and deliver meaningful programs that connect people to the bridge and to each other. From hosting signature events, leading educational tours, and managing our red-vested Ambassador volunteer corps to operating the electric tram and information pavilions, planting flowers, and maintaining daily park amenities, our work touches every aspect of the Walkway experience.