Schaeffer and the Walkway

KINGSTON – Could the Walkway Over the Hudson be as much of a draw to the Hudson Valley as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris?

Walkway Chairman Fred Schaeffer believes it could.

He traced the transformation of the burned out Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge to the Walkway, which opened about seven weeks ago. Already tens of thousands of people have walked across the Hudson and taken in the views.

“This project is a partnership between New York State and the local community,” said Schaeffer as he addressed members of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce in Kingston.

“The business community will play an important part in helping make the bridge successful.” He encouraged local businesses to take advantage of the attraction and reach out to tourists because they want it to become “the friendliest park in the world.” He said they want it to become known as a place “where people will love to come, not only is it a beautiful view, but because people are friendly.”

Schaeffer said the bridge has “its own magical feeling” and that hopefully the community can build on that feeling to make the bridge world famous.

“I think it’s going to become the Eiffel Tower of North America,” Schaeffer said. “I think it will become world famous and people will come here and visit it. When the trail connections are done they will not only see the beautiful view but they’ll get great exercise.”

According to Schaeffer, the trail connections linking rail trail systems in Dutchess and Ulster counties will be completed within the next one to three years.