Twelve years after sustaining flood damage during Hurricane Sandy, the Inwood Hill Nature Center partially reopened its doors to the public over the weekend.
At the June 1 opening event, NYC Parks Manhattan Borough Commissioner Tricia Shimamura joined Deputy Commissioner for Urban Park Services and Public Programs Margaret Nelson, Urban Park Rangers, and Barry Kogan from Friends of Inwood Hill Park to celebrate the return of the neighborhood fixture.
The nature center was rebuilt through $5 million funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Mayor’s office and the office of former City Council Member (and current Transportation Commissioner) Ydanis Rodriguez.
“This center will bring environmental programming to the Northern Manhattan community, an area that is rich in both ecological and cultural history,” said Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue.
For now, the nature center will be open on two days, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m to noon and will reopen from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“Once the nature center is completed, everything inside will be state-of-the-art and interactive to enhance the visitor experience, promote environmental education, and foster a deeper connection to the natural world,” added Donoghue.
“The reopening of the Inwood Hill Nature Center marks a new and exciting beginning in providing meaningful educational programs for our community,” added Luana Y. Ferreira, chair of the Community Board 12.
The nature center’s full renovation is due to be completed in early 2026.
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