The best way to appreciate the beauty of Hudson County is to take a long walk down its namesake.
This Sunday, the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy will take pedestrians on a walking tour down a small portion of the Hudson River Walkway.
In 1984, New Jersey passed a law mandating all waterfront developers to contribute to an 18-mile waterfront walkway meant to stretch all the way from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee to the Bayonne Bridge.
"It's about 85% complete," said Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy Vice President Don Stitzenberg, who explained that the missing portions of the walkway are on industrial properties occupied by companies like oil giant Hess or properties that have yet to be developed. For example, the 2ドル.5 million waterfront park that will be a joint project between Guttenberg and North Bergen, which will include a portion of the walkway, has yet to be built.
Stitzenberg said that more areas around the country are realizing the potential of the waterfront.
"It can provide a recreational facility and give people a chance to enjoy the waterfront. You'll find people hiking, pushing strollers, walking dogs, biking, jogging, fishing, kayaking - it just gives the public an opportunity to enjoy the waterfront," he said.
He said the conservancy hosts several walking tours in the cooler months of the summer, a perfect time for spending a couple hours in the sun, getting some exercise and looking at the breathtaking New York City skyline. The longtime Weehawken resident said the tours help bring attention to the walkway.
Many portions of the walkway are tucked away and are not visible from main roads, he noted. The walkway goes behind large buildings like the Palisades Medical Center and the NY Waterway Ferry Terminal as well as several condominiums.
"It's an inhibitor because you can't see it," he admitted. "We're hoping to get more signs so people know the walkway is there."
He also noted that drivers who want to take a stroll on the walkway may have trouble finding parking and a way to get back to their cars after their walks. The walkway has other problems, too - for example, a portion of the walkway in North Bergen is completely underwater and needs to be rebuilt.
Stitzenberg hopes, however, that the walkway's completion will receive more support as more people learn about and begin using the path.
Conservancy members will lead people on a guided tour of the walkway and teach them a few things about the waterfront's history. The group will meet at the NY Waterway Ferry Terminal on Port Imperial Road in Weehawken at 9:30 a.m. and begin walking down the walkway in Guttenberg. The three-mile course will also take tourists through North Bergen and West New York.
Stitzenberg said he is looking forward to the tour.
"Mostly, we'll just give everyone a pleasant day and a little bit of education."
For more information and a map of the walkway, visit HudsonRiverWaterfront.org.
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