In my "world" there seems to be lots of "re purposing" of "old" things like the wonderful old railroad bridge in the photo. After nearly 50 years of sitting vacant in the wind, thousands of visitors now walk where trains once rolled high above the Hudson. While many people were critical of the tax dollars spent on that project, it's a pretty amazing view of the valley and connects some pretty amazing biking and hiking trails (themselves re purposed from old railroad trails) that have brought countless hours of enjoyment to people of all ages! While I never rode a freight train over the river during the ol' bridge's first "life," I have walked it many times during the last few years. I suspect it looks far more beautiful than in its prime!
Recently, we hiked around Beacon, a small city that just a few years ago was a pretty scary place! It too is going through some pretty impressive, privately funded re purposing. The shot above is the Beacon Falls Roundhouse...once the crumbling site of the Mattewan Hat Factory...and now soon to be an upscale restaurant and pub. To be honest I am guessing it has never looked so good...not even in its prime!
I guess all this gives me hope for the future. Fuel prices might soar through the roof and our politicians might never agree on how many angels really can dance on the head of a pin; however, we are smart enough to be using public and private money towards a few good causes that will provide healthy outlets for the next generation.
4 comments:
This piece was refreshing. What a great topic. Thanks for the view of change around your neck of the woods. Saving some special buildings and re-purposing old railroad tracks sounds like a sound investment to me. Here in Maine private and public money is buying up some of the most spectacular pieces of land. Our children and their children will always have mountains to climb, woods to hike in, and a coastline to scour because of a few visionaries.
I've noticed these "repurposing" areas too. It's such a great idea and encourages people to be outside more and build community. It's funny how you said it probably looks better than it did in it's prime!
I love the line, "visitors now walk where trains once rolled." I hadn't give much thought to repurposing until your post. Something to ponder...
Your writing gives me hope for the future, seeing beyond the politicians to people coming together in community. Ah, well, it's all about connections--thanks for sharing yours.
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