The Ulster County Welcome Center on the Highland side of the Walkway Over the Hudson is about to get a new cousin on the Dutchess side of the park this spring. Work is progressing on a 1,800 sq/ft center that will have an outdoor seating patio, stair access to Orchard Place, bike racks, a dog-friendly water fountain, landscaping and new comfort facilities. To date, the Walkway non-profit Friends group has contributed $1.25 million to the project.

Geoff Brault, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Walkway Over the Hudson, said, “This number is not just for the buildings under construction, but the entire east approach, which includes improvements to the path, construction of a new entrance on Orchard Place, and the new welcome plaza. Additional funding has been provided by New York State Parks.”

Also this spring the Walkway expects that their newly refurbished elevator to the Upper Landing Park on the Poughkeepsie side, will be put back in service. A sign now at the closed elevator states they are installing, “New technology, not previously available during construction of the elevator, that is expected to improve reliability and extend seasonal usage deeper into the fall and earlier in the spring.” Funding for this is coming from the NYS Parks and Recreation but a total was not available by press deadline.

Walkway indicated that more information is available at parks.ny.gov.