In 1992, Walkway Over the Hudson was established to preserve the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, transform it into a linear park and trailway, and provide long-term stewardship. With public and private support, the bridge-to-park rehabilitation project was completed in 2009 and dedicated as a legacy project of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. Older buildings and structures are renewable assets that offer long-term, cost-effective, and environment-friendly revitalization options, and Walkway shows that historic properties can be rejuvenated in new and exciting ways. This recreational resource enriches the lives of thousands of visitors while contributing to the area's economic development. For decades, the Hudson was polluted by sewage and industrial waste, but through the efforts of concerned citizens and the cooperation of local communities, the river became much cleaner and a popular recreational resource that attracts swimmers, boaters, anglers, and sightseers.