Fans of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will delight in the Valley’s latest attraction, for a trip in a brand-new, 21-story glass elevator overlooking the magnificent Hudson River need not require a golden ticket.
At 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, Walkway Over the Hudson officially reveals its long-anticipated elevator to the public. Dubbed Elevate to Connect, the air-conditioned structure carries approximately two dozen people 210 feet high to the Walkway bridge in less than a minute.
The elevator, which is situated in Poughkeepsie’s Upper Landing Park, allows for easier access from the bridge to the many restaurants, shops, parks, and museums along the waterfront, as well as the Metro-North station nearby. It also provides an alternative route for disabled, elderly, or mobility-challenged visitors who might find the trek to the bridge’s main entrances too strenuous.
“Much like the Walkway itself, the [elevator] is a tribute to collaboration and perseverance,” said Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart, Walkway Over the Hudson Executive Director. “And, much like the Walkway, this elevator will provide exciting new connections and possibilities for the people of the Hudson Valley and New York State.”
The $2.8 million project was made possible by the Transportation Enhancement Program, which contributed $2.4 million in federal grants. The remaining funding was secured by friends of Walkway Over the Hudson.
Prior to the public opening, Walkway Over the Hudson hosts a formal ceremony, in which local politicians and representatives are expected to attend.
If you go…
When: Thursday, August 14 at 1 p.m.
Where: Upper Landing Park, Poughkeepsie Waterfront
Elevator operating hours: Daily, 9 a.m. until one hour before sunset
Restrictions: No animals allowed (except service dogs); only two bicycles per lift
Keep an eye on the gallery below for more photographs from our visit to the Walkway elevator.
