Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan flanked by NYS Parks Commissioner Carol Ash (left), Parks & Trails New York executive director Robin Dropkin (right) and Dr. Lucy Waletzky (far right)

At its June 25 gala, Scenic Hudson recognized those who have been spearheading major investments in New York state parks. In addition to formally honoring New York State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash and the nonprofit Parks & Trails New York, the event also recognized Dr. Lucy Waletzky, chair of the State Council of Parks. "Our honorees have provided a great and lasting service to the people of the Hudson Valley and our entire state," explained Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan. "Parks that provide safe and beautiful places are part of the foundation for livable communities.”

See this press release for additional details.

Representatives from conservation organizations being honored at the June 21 gala included (left to right): Lucy Hayden, Winnakee Land Trust; Deanna Prisco, Orange County Land Trust; Paul Gallay, Westchester Land Trust; Peter Paden, Columbia Land Conservancy; Art Collings, Dutchess Land Conservancy; Eric Lind, Audubon New York; Matt Shurtleff, Trust for Public Land; Susan Bolitzer, Esopus Creek Conservancy; Fred Koontz, Hudson Highlands Land Trust; David Van Luven, The Nature Conservancy, Eastern New York Chapter; Jane Daniels, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

Scenic Hudson's series of galas honoring partners crucial to our land-preservation campaign continued on June 21 with a celebration of the work of 13 local, regional and national land trusts. The evening at Listening Rock Farm in Wassaic (Dutchess County) featured a dinner and performances by Dar Williams and Paul Winter. See this press release for additional details.

This bridge is slated to be transformed into a pedestrian park in time for the Hudson Quadricentennial Celebration in 2009.

At the Tuesday, May 27, groundbreaking ceremony, Ned Sullivan announced that Scenic Hudson is committing $1 million to support "Walkway over the Hudson," the $30-million project that will transform the abandoned Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge into the world's longest elevated pedestrian park.

In his remarks, Mr. Sullivan hailed the founders and leaders of the grassroots initiative that started the walkway project and praised all those who have stepped forward to support it to date. Sullivan went on to describe the project as "an opportunity to leverage the incredible natural assets of the region and to boost the economic revitalization of the City of Poughkeepsie as well as surrounding areas of Dutchess and Ulster counties." He went on to note that the collaborative effort that is transforming the bridge into the walkway can also "make Poughkeepsie a world class destination that realizes the full potential of this rich and historic section of our National Heritage Area and attracts new businesses that will boost the economy of the region into a new orbit."

Ned Sullivan's complete remarks are available at this page. The official press release about the groundbreaking is available at this page.