To honor those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge was lit up by more than 1,300 luminaries carefully placed by volunteers to spell out ‘THANK YOU!’

The display of light spanned more than 200 feet, transforming this New York landmark in Hudson Valley into an illuminated message of gratitude.

“We hope that through this grand display across the Walkway frontline workers know just how much we appreciate their tremendous efforts,” said Elizabeth Waldstein, Executive Director, Friends of the Walkway.

The Walkway Over the Hudson has been deemed an essential park to keep open by Gov. Cuomo, and several nonprofit organizations mobilized volunteers to work on the inspiring project, placing 1,300 illuminated bags that were marked with ‘Honor. Remember. Celebrate.’

“It was really fun and rewarding to be involved,” one participant told GNN.

“I’ve never been so tired, doing over 18,000 steps that day, and bending over bags—but I’m so happy with the results!”

In the coming days, prints of this photograph will be presented to places where essential workers are serving in the community—like emergency rooms, grocery stores, police stations, and fire departments.

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Saturday, May 2, is I Love My Park Day, and the public will be able to “help extend the gratitude far and wide by purchasing prints and note cards of the bridge at walkway.org.”

Elsewhere in New York City, huge messages of gratitude are transforming local hospitals this week to honor frontline workers. It was the second act in a series of gratitude gestures from Dr. Scholl’s—after the specialized shoe company donated $2 million worth of gel cushioned insoles to help more than 150,000 healthcare workers reduce muscle fatigue.

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“When the bridge first opened in the 1890s, it was known as The Great Connector, and I think it lived up to that nickname here,” said Linda Cooper of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

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