named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Accessibility Tram Service
Free, all-electric, wheelchair-accessible 12-passenger tram assisting seniors, veterans, people with mobility challenges, and those with fear of heights during daytime hours
Mobile Audio Tour
QR-coded signage and GPS-based audio tour available in English, Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin, providing historical and ecological education along the bridge
Walkway Ambassadors
Trained volunteer guides who lead group tours for visitors of all ages, enhancing educational and community engagement on the bridge
Walkway at Night
Evening event offering twilight access to the Walkway with stargazing opportunities via partnership with the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association; includes concerts and special themes
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Deliver educational programs for youth, families, and schoolsProvides educator-led, place-based learning programs for students and youth groups focused on the history, ecology, and environment of the Walkway and Hudson River region, customizable by age and curriculum. Offers interactive series such as Walkway Kids Connections and Walkway Explorer, which includes earning a patch and sticker upon completion. Facilitates school field trip access through support for the Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program.
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Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
- Host public events and cultural programming on the WalkwayOrganizes recurring public events including free twilight summer concerts, Movies Under The Walkway screenings, Walkway at Night nighttime access events with astronomy programming in partnership with the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association, and a July 4th Fireworks Spectacular. Also hosts the annual "Starry Starry Night" event celebrating the Walkway’s opening anniversary, featuring after-hours glass elevator access and fireworks.
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Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Offer guided tours and visitor engagement servicesConducts 60–90 minute guided group tours led by trained Walkway Ambassadors and staff, sharing stories about the bridge’s construction, history, and regional significance. Offers mobile audio tours and coordinates logistics for group visits, including bus parking arrangements on the Highland side through partnership with the Town of Lloyd.
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Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 1 activity
- Operate and maintain the Walkway Over the Hudson pedestrian parkManages the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge, a 1.28-mile span 212 feet above the Hudson River connecting Poughkeepsie and Highland, NY, as a public park open year-round from 7 a.m. to sunset. Provides free public access for pedestrians and recreational use, hosting over seven million visitors since opening in 2009.
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Local Food Market Operation 1 activity
- Operate the Walkway Market as a Taste NY ExperienceRuns an open-air farmers market at the Ulster Welcome Center in Highland, NY, featuring New York State makers, growers, and artisans. Launched as the first Walkway Market on June 13 and includes giveaways such as free canvas tote bags to the first 200 guests.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Organize volunteer and stewardship programsCoordinates volunteer opportunities for over 9,000 annual service hours, including operating the ADA tram, leading educational programs, welcoming visitors, and maintaining gardens through regular gardening days (May–October) on both ends of the Walkway.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Provide ADA-compliant access and mobility assistance via electric tramOperates a free, all-electric, wheelchair-accessible tram with continuous-loop service and four stops along the Walkway, available seven days a week seasonally (10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) to assist visitors with mobility challenges. The tram seats up to 11 guests and is also available for private tours and special events.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$915K
Contributions & grants$700K76%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$23K3%
Other revenue$192K
expenses
Total expenses$978K
Program expenses62%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising20%
Salaries & benefits$507K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.43M
Cash$1.17M
Investments$0
Liabilities$201K
Net assets$1.23M
Liquid reserves14.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -45.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LORI ROBERTSON | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $158K |
| DIANE HAIGHT | DEPUTY DIREC | 40 | $97K |
board members · 18
- ANITA JONES — SECRETARY
- ANTHONY PAGANO — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS CUNNINGHAM — TREASURER
- DANIEL AHOUSE — DIRECTOR
- ED BERGSTRAESSER — DIRECTOR
- FRED SCHAEFFER — DIRECTOR
- HOWIE SCHWARTZ — VICE CHAIR
- JOHN STORYK EMERITUS 1222 — DIRECTOR
- KATE FAGAN — RESIGNED 01/
- KATHLEEN SMITH EMERITUS — DIRECTOR
- MAUREEN KEEGAN — DIRECTOR
- MAUREEN SOLERO — CHAIR
- MICHAEL GRAHAM EMERITUS 1222 — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL HENRY — DIRECTOR
- ROCCO CHIAPPINI — DIRECTOR
- RON LANE — DIRECTOR
- SHIRLEY RINALDI — AMBASSADOR D
- YURI CORT — RESIGNED 03/
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- American Legion Post 739 Partner — Organizes and presents monthly Flag Changing Ceremonies on the Walkway to honor veterans.
- Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program Government — Partner program that provides reimbursement for transportation and field trip expenses for eligible school and youth groups visiting the Walkway.
- Friends of the Walkway Network — Organizes and presents the Walkway Connections education series on Walkway Over the Hudson.
- Friends of the Walkway Partner — Fundraising and programming partner that supports the Walkway through community events, volunteer programs, and historical preservation efforts.
- Friends of the Walkway Partner — Hosts the Walkway Market event and manages on-site operations including guest services and parking.
- Friends of the Walkway Partner — Nonprofit partner that hosts Walkway at Night events and uses proceeds to support programs and improvements on the Walkway.
- Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation Partner — Co-hosts the Lights Across The Hudson community event.
- Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation Partner — Hosts the Lights Across the Hudson luminary event on the Walkway to honor those who have been lost.
- Inn At Bellefield Partner — Official hotel partner located near the Poughkeepsie entrance, supporting visitor accommodations.
- Inn at Bellefield Partner — Official hotel partner offering discounted accommodations for event attendees.
- Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association Partner — Provides telescope viewing and astronomy programming during Walkway at Night events.
- New York State Bridge Authority Government — Responsible for continuous inspection and maintenance of the Walkway bridge structure.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Co-presents the Walkway at Night concert series and operates the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Government — Co-presents weekly cultural events and concerts on the Walkway.
- Orthopedic Associates of Dutchess County Partner — Sponsor of the Starry Starry Night event.
- Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge Co Network — Legal name under which the organization is registered and listed for company matching gift programs.
- Queen City Strategies Partner — Sponsor of the Starry Starry Night event.
- Redl's Towing Partner — Sponsor of the Starry Starry Night event.
- Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law Partner — Leading supporter of the Walkway's seasonal tram operations.
- Rutberg Breslow Personal Injury Law Partner — Provides free tote bags for the first 200 guests at the Walkway Market event.
- Taste NY Partner — Co-presents the Walkway Market event to highlight New York State products and producers.
- Town of Lloyd Government — Provides paid bus parking on the Highland side of the Walkway for group tours.
- Walkway Over the Hudson Network — Member of the Walkway Over the Hudson network, operating within its visitor experience offerings.
- Walkway Over the Hudson Partner — Co-presents the Walkway Connections program series for children and families.
- Walkway Over the Hudson Partner — Friends of the Walkway is the nonprofit partner supporting the Walkway Over the Hudson park.
- Wheel the World Partner — Conducted a detailed accessibility assessment and provided training to improve services for travelers with disabilities.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Driven Stewardship Modelmethodology: community_driven_preservation_and_engagementBy engaging the community in fundraising and volunteer efforts, the organization sustains and enhances public infrastructure, because local ownership increases civic investment, long-term support, and regional economic benefits.
- Experiential and Place-Based Educationmethodology: experiential_educationBy using hands-on, inquiry-driven learning in a real-world setting, the organization fosters deeper youth engagement with local history, ecology, and geography, because direct experience strengthens connection, retention, and curiosity.
- Inclusive Access Through Innovationmethodology: inclusive_access_transportationBy providing an all-electric tram service, the organization enables access for people with mobility challenges, seniors, and others, because removing physical barriers ensures equitable participation in public space and programming.
- Sustainable Revenue for Public Spacemethodology: self_sustaining_public_spaceBy reinvesting revenue from merchandise sales and donations into capital improvements and programming, the organization maintains a self-sustaining public space, because locally generated funding ensures long-term operational independence and community responsiveness.
- Volunteer-Powered Visitor Experiencemethodology: volunteer_driven_visitor_engagementBy training volunteers as multi-role ambassadors who deliver hospitality, education, and accessibility support, the organization enhances visitor engagement and inclusivity, because peer-led service creates a more welcoming and authentic atmosphere.