The Albany Skyway is an elevated, linear park that connects downtown Albany to the Hudson River waterfront. Opened in April 2022,[1] [2]the Skyway was converted from an underutilized exit ramp from Interstate 787.[3] It features pedestrian lighting, seating and planters along the path and a shade structure near the Broadway entrance. Amphitheater-style seating provides a restful setting with a view of the Hudson River.[4] The park includes greenery, public art, color-changing lights, and photo opportunities. [5] The park links Quay Street near the Corning Preserve to Broadway and Clinton Avenue at Quackenbush Square.[6]

History
edit

Planning for the Albany Skyway began with the city’s 2014 downtown revitalization plan.[7]

The Skyway totals 3.3 acres and 2,680 feet in length from the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Broadway in downtown to US Route 9 by the Hudson river. The park includes pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists, plus landscaping and places to sit, with access to the Corning Riverfront Park and the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail.[8] In addition, the park includes a 3,000 square foot outdoor art gallery, seating capacity for 600 people, 90,000 square feet of softscape park space with over 20,000 native plants and trees, and a 5,000-square-foot shaded area. Eight outdoor pop-up event spaces (totaling 50,000 square feet) satisfy the community's desire for flexible spaces that change over time.[9]

Getting There
edit

Bicyclists and pedestrians can reach the Skyway directly from Broadway in Albany, or from the Corning Riverfront Preserve parking lot adjacent to the Hudson River. [10]

Numerous bus lines stop within one block of the Skyway's entrance. The following Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) bus lines stop at, or within one block of, the Skyway: 10, 12, 22, 100, 106, 801, 805, 806, 872, 922 and 923.[11]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Albany Skyway opens to pedestrians/". News10 ABC - Albany. April 29, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "Albany Skyway park and bridge officially open". CBS6 - Albany. April 29, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "Albany's new Skyway brings mixed reviews". Youtube - WNYT NewsChannel 13. May 5, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "Governor Hochul Announces Opening of Albany Skyway Connecting Downtown Albany to the Hudson River Waterfront". NYS Governor - News. April 29, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "The Albany Skyway: Not Your Ordinary Pedestrian Walkway". Park Albany - Blog. February 6, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "Albany Skyway". Downtown Albany Business Improvement District. May 11, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Fries, Amanda (July 24, 2019). "12 Albany projects picked for $9.7M in state aid". Times Union. Albany. Retrieved August 23, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Let's take a walk: Albany's Skyway opens to fanfare". Times Union of Albany. April 30, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Albany Skyway - Project Details". Congress for the New Urbanism. August 23, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  10. ^ "Albany Skyway". Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau. April 29, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  11. ^ "Capital_District_Transportation_Authority". Capital_District_Transportation_Authority. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.