Franny Reese State Park provides an exciting place to explore nature up close. It offers over 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails that follow a historic carriage road and passes by the ruins of a 19th century mansion. An overlook affords amazing views of the Hudson River, Mid-Hudson Bridge, Walkway Over the Hudson Historic Park, and the City of Poughkeepsie.  A connecting trail links the park to the Walkway Loop Trail and Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.

Scenic Hudson protected these 251 acres in 2003 and continues to manage this stunning landscape, named in memory of environmentalist Frances "Franny" Reese (1917-2003). In 2009, shortly after ownership was transferred to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the park officially opened.

Please Note: Deer ticks, which can transmit Lyme disease, are a growing problem in this area. Take precautions and check for ticks after leaving. Exercise caution when walking alone.

Opened year-round, daily, dawn to dusk

Dogs must be leashed and owner must clean up after them.

Franny Reese State Park

In October 2009, the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park opened as a legacy project of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. The park provides access to the Hudson River's breathtaking landscape for pedestrians, hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and people with disabilities. The bridge deck stands 212 feet above the river's surface and is 6,768 feet (1.28 miles) long, making it the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. 

The Poughkeepsie-Highland  Railroad Bridge was built in the late 19th century to link New York and New England to an extensive, nationwide railway network.  For decades, it was a major rail corridor for both freight and passengers.

After a fire in 1974, the bridge was abandoned and sat for decades as an orphaned relic.  The park was made possible due to the unwavering commitment of the community, who, through a non-profit organization called Walkway Over the Hudson, forged a public-private partnership involving the State of New York, the federal government, neighboring municipalities, private corporations and other not for profit groups.  The amazing result of this partnership is Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, one of the Hudson Valley's top attractions.  

Ride the glass elevator up to the park or down to the Poughkeepsie waterfront and be treated to great views of the surrounding scenery and the structure of the bridge. The elevator is located at Upper Landing Park (83 N. Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY), a short walk from the Poughkeepsie Train Station. While there is no vehicular parking at Upper Landing, parking can be found in the surrounding area. Visit http://upperlanding.org/parking/ for details. Although leashed pets are allowed on the Walkway, only service animals are permitted on the elevator. Bicycles can be brought on the elevator.

The park offers interpretive signs and a Talkway Over the Walkway cell phone tour. There is also an audio tour available online in English, Spanish and Mandarin at https://walkway.org/walkway-audio-tours.

State Parks Tagged With: Highland