Think Globally, Walk Locally: Hearts & Minds' End Poverty Walkathon

Hearts & Minds - Information for Change^SM

The End Poverty Walkathon^SM
Walk to end poverty, exercise and have fun!

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 3074 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

The last one was Sunday, May 18 at 2 pm:

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.	Just one of the older buildings walkers will pass, complete with a water tower.
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 3074 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Click here to join the End Poverty Campaign / Walkathon

More on the End Poverty Walkathon | Other Hearts & Minds Events | More on Ending Hunger and Poverty

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