But even on less mild days, the Walkway Over the Hudson still has visitors.

On Wednesday afternoon the crowd using the Walkway was smaller, but the walkers, joggers, bicyclists and roller-bladers kept up a steady stream of traffic. Some of those visitors, like Paul Jordan of Accord, said he uses the Walkway even when the weather is colder, while others said they stay off the bridge when the temperature drops and the snow flies.

Jordan, who was walking with his mother and his boxer dog, Max, said he has never been on the Walkway in the snow or blinding rain, but he does use the span in the winter. He said he has been out in weather where the wind makes the American flag on the span stand straight out and where the breeze makes your right ear freeze on your way in and your left ear freeze on your way out.

"If we weren't doing this, we'd be doing something else outside," he said of walking with Max.

"It's a unique spot to walk," Jordan said, adding that Max is allowed to accompany him on the Walkway. He said there is a walkway along the dam at the Ashokan Reservoir, but dogs are not allowed.

Genevieve Butler of Highland said her use of the Walkway depends on the season and the moods of her son and daughter. She said they do not like to come out when it is snowing, but will use the span when there is snow on the ground.

"We like to use it at least once a week," Butler said. She said sometimes they walk there three times a week.

Butler said she loves the Walkway and that it is beautiful, especially in the middle. She said there is nothing else like it anywhere around. And when it does snow, the Walkway employees clear it off, Butler said.

"They do a really good job of keeping it clean," Butler said.

Steve Oakes, park manager for the Walkway, said the span is open year-round, usually from about 7 a.m. to sunset. He said right now sunset is 5 p.m., but that will move in half-hour intervals as the days get longer.

In the winter, the staff clear the snow using various equipment, Oakes said. If there is ice, though, the Walkway could close until it melts, he said. Once it's safe, the Walkway reopens, Oakes said.

"In terms of use, it's probably the least used season, as one might expect," Oakes said of the winter months. He said that is a shame because some of the best views from the bridge can be seen in the colder weather. In the winter, the "air is clearer and you tend to see more," Oakes said.

There are a lot of regulars who use the bridge year-round, though, especially in the mornings, Oakes said. He said some of those regulars are out on the span "no matter what."

Renee Finn of Poughkeepsie said when the weather is mild she comes to the Walkway about three times a week. She said she prefers to come to the Highland side of the span because it has better parking and there is no charge to park. Finn said when the weather is colder, though, she will not come out.

Amy Pittner of Ulster Park was on the span with Pablo Martinez of Poughkeepsie. She said she generally uses the Walkway in the warmer weather, but the weather Wednesday was in the 40s and was not too bad. Pittner said she chose to come out that day because Martinez had gotten roller blades over Christmas and she was helping him learn how to use them.

Of all the people on the bridge Wednesday, only a few were not dressed to deal with the chill in the air. One jogger was out in shorts and a T-shirt.

Anthony and Dawna Motise of Wappingers Falls said Wednesday was their fifth day in a row visiting the Walkway.

Dawna Motise said the Walkway gives them a good place to exercise, while Anthony Motise said it is nice to get the fresh air.

"I think the Walkway is great," Anthony Motise said. "It provides a lot of recreation." He said the couple plans to use the Walkway even as the winter progresses.

The Walkway Over the Hudson officially opened to the public on Oct. 3, 2009. At 212 feet tall and 1.28 miles long, it is the longest, elevated pedestrian bridge in the world, according to its website at http://walkway.org. The Walkway is managed and maintained by New York State Parks — Taconic Region.

By Ariel Zangla

Daily Freeman staff