The Hudson at Albany

It's hard to remember now, but back when I was a kid, the Hudson River was sick with pollution. It was a muddy brown color. River fish and other wildlife began to die out. What fish survived were contaminated and fishing was banned. Nobody wanted anything to do with the waterfront. The city that once relied on the river for commerce and transportation turned away from it. A wide interstate highway was built over the old wharves and railroad tracks, cutting the city off from its maritime heritage.

Looking north (upriver) from the park end of the bridge with part of the amphitheater below and to the right.

Environmental movements in the sixties and seventies prompted the state and federal governments to begin reversing the damage that industry and development had done to the river. There's still a long way to go before the river can be declared "clean," but even now the Hudson is blue again and people are coming back to the water. Unfortunately for Albany, the huge interstate highway remains a nearly impenetrable barrier to the urban waterfront.

Looking south (downriver) to the high-rise bridge that connects to the interstate highway along the river's west bank.

In 2002, the city opened a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the interstate to connect downtown to the relatively new Corning Preserve waterfront park. While certainly not an ideal solution, the bridge helps Albany's citizens access the riverfront. The bridge ends at an 1,000-seat amphitheater built into the riverbank which has become a popular venue for summer concerts and festivals. Trails lead north and south through the 15 acre park along the waterfront.

The pedestrian bridge, called Hudson River Way, looking back toward downtown.