Spring cleaning and showing some love for parks

Access Walkway Over the Hudson from Washington Street in Poughkeepsie, and you will see how the hard work of volunteers has helped spruce up a destination that welcomed more than a half million people in 2016.

With a shovel, wheelbarrow, gloves and various gardening tools, volunteers on Saturday pitched in on "I Love My Park Day" to serve up a spring cleaning at Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.

“We’re making a difference where we live — it’s a good cause," said volunteer Janet Oliver of Poughquag, who strolls on the Walkway several times a month, during nice weather. “It’s good for the city, it’s good for the community."

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The Walkway connects Poughkeepsie to Highland. At 1.28 miles long, it is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. And it was one of numerous sites across the Hudson Valley, and the state involved with the sixth annual "I Love My Park Day."

Raising awareness of state parks, cleaning them and repairing trails were among the goals for "I Love My Park Day."

The outdoor initiative was sponsored by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks and Trails New York, a nonprofit organization. The state Department of Environmental Conservation and National Park Service served as partners.

Along with the Walkway, Upper Landing Park in Poughkeepsie,the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites in Hyde Park and Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County were among the locations involved with “I Love My Park Day."

“It’s important to get people out, for healthy living, to be involved and engaged,” said Eric Hoppe, park manager of Walkway Over the Hudson; and Upper Landing Park, which is managed by the state. “People need to get out and enjoy stuff. This day gives them some exposure to what we have.”

Ed Bergstraesser lives in Rhinebeck; he sits on the board of directors for Parks and Trails New York; and like Oliver, he works for AT&T, a sponsor of “I Love My Park Day” that donated $15,000 for the effort.

Like Oliver, Bergstraesser volunteered his time for the Walkway cleanup. He believes the Walkway and Upper Landing Park generate community pride. Saturday’s event built on that pride, he said, because, like the two parks, “this brings people together.”

John W. Barry: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822, Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJo