INWOOD — Muscota Marsh, the waterfront park promised to Inwood residents by Columbia University back in 2011, is finally open to the public.
The 40,000-square-foot park opened its gates last week, giving Inwood residents new access to the Spuyten Duyvil Creek and Harlem River.
The park, built and maintained by Columbia University, was the centerpiece of the community benefits agreement signed by Columbia almost three years ago as part of its Campbell Sports Complex deal.
Construction of the park began in the summer of 2012 with a projected fall opening, but was hit with numerous delays. Superstorm Sandy pushed the park's opening back to 2013. The delays drew ire from residents, who noted in the fall of 2013 that the park had appeared complete for months, only to sit locked.
Park signage says the marsh will be open to the public from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Nov. 1 to April 14. The hours will be expanded to between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. from April 15 to Oct. 31.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the spring, Parks spokesman Phil Abramson told DNAinfo New York.