Participate from anywhere in the
world You can participate anywhere in the world by fundraising and
walking 10k in your area. Then send the money you raised to:
Hearts & Minds
165 West 105th St.
New York, NY 10025 (USA)
Our third walkathon was on Sunday, November 8 at 2 pm in
beautiful Hudson River Park. We plan to have our next one in the same
location. The date is not set yet.
History of the Hudson River Park Hudson River’s waterfront is bursting with history. From its
original inhabitants, the Native American Leni Lenape (Delaware Nation)
tribe, to Giovanni da Verrazzano, Robert Fulton, Herman Melville, Henry
Hudson and many others. “The banks of the Hudson River have hosted people
and events that have influenced the city, state, country and beyond.” (www.hudsonriverpark.org).
For over a hundred years, New York was the busiest port in the world. Its
commerce was vital to the growth of the nation. Before the federal income
tax was put into practice, much of the federal government’s income was
customs duties charged on imports – generated primarily in the New York
port. Along the way, walkers will see railroad tracks, barges, float bridges
and other remnants of the steamship and railroad era.
Though it continued to flourish until the mid 1900s, “the waterfront
began to decline when containerization and the need for deeper ports changed
the commercial landscape in New York City” (www.hudsonriverpark.org). Trade
on the shoreline was nearly dead by the 1970s, and an in-debt New York
couldn’t afford to maintain the deteriorating port structures. Eventually,
dilapidated piers were condemned, and parking lots, government buildings and
other structures that don’t require water took over.
Things began to improve when the city and state joined forces to revive
the waterfront. The NYS Department of Transportation built a new same-level
urban street, and in 1998 the Hudson River Park Act was passed, which
created a new era for the piers and shoreline.
Today, the Hudson River Park Trust continues to develop Hudson River
Park.
Planners took into account the importance of featuring the area’s
important river history from the start. Park plans include many historic,
architectural and artistic elements that will keep that history alive.
Here's some photos along the route:
We'll start under these awnings on Pier 45 on the Hudson River just uptown
from Christopher Street and West Street
There are rest rooms and snack bars all along the route
Additional awnings to provide shade
Manhattan skyline - view from Pier 45
The volunteers at Hearts & Minds think this sculpture looks
like a big apple, cut in slices.
A section of the Hudson River Walkway
One of the unique buildings walkers will pass.
This was
a Cunard steamship pier, although all that remains now is a steel arch with
the company name faintly visible.
Maybe they need to avoid building on windy
days :)...
actually we really like this hi-tech office building
$120
million later, four historic piers have become the Chelsea Piers, a 28-acre
sports and entertainment complex.
This 12-story mural is called "Venus" by Knox
Martin.
The is the famous Starrett-Lehigh building (the red building in the
background), a landmark of
modern architecture that used to be a freight distribution building with a
railroad as its ground floor occupant.
This is a small float bridge. The large wooden loading
platform carried freight cars across the Hudson.
A few of the older buildings walkers will pass,
complete with water towers.
The New Jersey shoreline.
An art
deco style ventilation shaft for the Lincoln Tunnel built in 1937.
One of two sculptures called "Two Too Large Tables" by
Allan and Ellen Wexler.
One of two sculptures called "Two Too Large Tables" by
Allan and Ellen Wexler.
Pilings that once held a pier.
The heliport
Gorgeous cherry blossoms along the walkway.
Javits
Convention Center
Measuring 30′ long, this wine bottle is called "Private Passage" by
Malcolm Cochran.
Participate from anywhere in the
world You can participate anywhere in the world by fundraising and
walking 10k in your area. Then send the money you raised to Hearts & Minds
at 165 W. 105th Street, New York, NY 10025.
Click here to join the next End
Poverty
Walkathon.
