Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday $5.5 million in projects to construct new energy-efficient gateway visitor centers to adorn both the east and west entrances of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Both gateways will feature new services and modern facilities designed to enhance aesthetics, visitor experience and overall function. The projects are part of Governor Cuomo’s NY Parks 2020 initiative, a multi-year commitment to improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation by leveraging $900 million in private and public funding through 2020.
On the east end of the Walkway, $3 million in state funding will support the construction of a visitor center gateway in the City of Poughkeepsie. The new facility will feature both open and covered outdoor seating, new concessions, amphitheater seating for relaxing and special events, new and improved signage, enhanced landscaping, bus drop-off location to provide easier access, upgraded and environmentally friendly pathways that will improve connections for those entering and exiting the park and new restrooms.
The $2.5 million sustainable west end visitor center gateway will be located in the Town of Lloyd and be powered by an array of solar panels. It will feature food vendors, open and covered outdoor seating, a dog friendly water fountain, bike racks, relocated signage, landscaping and new restrooms. New York State will commit $1 million towards the project, while the remaining $1.5 million will be raised by the not-for-profit Walkway Over the Hudson friends group.
Both facilities will utilize energy-efficient measures including LED lighting, insulated building shells and modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. Construction on both facilities will begin in 2017.
“There is nothing more beautiful than the view while crossing the Walkway Over the Hudson and because of the new gateway visitor center, even more people will visit Lloyd to experience the Hudson Valley, said Town of Lloyd Supervisor Paul Hansut. “This boost in tourism will ripple through the rest of our economy as visitors spend time in Lloyd and see first-hand what else our community has to offer. All the thanks goes to Governor Cuomo because without his hard work, none of this would have been possible.”
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