Press Releases

The Nature Center's soft opening featured an Urban Park Ranger-led tour, animals like a snake and turtle, and a display of the high-water mark line from Hurricane Sandy's damage

On Saturday, 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 opening of the Inwood Hill Nature Center, marking a new beginning for wildlife education in Northern Manhattan. The center had been closed since 2012 due to flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy.

“After being shut down for more than a decade due to the flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy, we’re thrilled to partially open the Inwood Hill Nature Center. This center will bring environmental programming to the Northern Manhattan community, an area that is rich in both ecological and cultural history," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. "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."

"The Inwood Hill Nature Center will provide is an invaluable resource for New Yorkers uptown and across the city to learn about the history of our land and the diversity of our local wildlife," said New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "I was proud to contribute funding toward its rehabilitation as the former Council Member for the area and I thank Parks and Commissioner Sue Donoghue for their efforts to reopen this center with more resilient infrastructure."

“I am delighted to see the Inwood Hill Park Nature Center reopen after being closed since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. This center is a true treasure for our community, providing a valuable space to learn about our local environment and history. I look forward to many more visits and witnessing how this center continues to enrich our community. It is an honor to be part of this wonderful occasion and to support the outstanding work of the Urban Park Rangers,” said Assembly Member Al Taylor.

"The reopening of the Inwood Hill Nature Center marks a new and exciting beginning in providing meaningful educational programs for our community," said Luana Y. Ferreira, Ph.D., chair of the Community Board 12 - Manhattan Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee. “While Urban Park Rangers have continued providing educational programming to the community in Inwood Hill Park since Hurricane Sandy, the reopening of the Nature Center means the Rangers will have an office space to offer environmental education and outdoor activities.”

The Rangers showcased live animals, hosted a deer-ring toss game, and organized a birding activity along the marsh. Additionally, Rangers taught attendees how to make fire using bow drills and demonstrated how to craft cordage from plant fibers. Attendees were also invited to explore a Wigwam.

The Nature Center will also include an exhibit. The with information on live animals, local ecology, birds, geology, and the Lenape (Delaware) people. The exhibit is expected to be completed in early 2026.

The full renovation of the Nature Center was made possible thanks to $5 million in funding from the Mayor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and former Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. The completed post-Sandy reconstruction has made the building more resilient to future flooding by reinforcing the roof, using flood-resistant material, and elevating the main entrance to reduce water entry. The renovation also includes enhanced outdoor education areas, a larger locker room with increased storage capacity, and a meeting room.

The Nature Center is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

NYC Parks’ nature centers are in-park community centers for public education, recreational activities, and environmental studies. The centers serve as starting points for walking tours and workshop sites for educational programs for the whole family. Visitors to Parks nature centers can also take in exhibits highlighting the diversity of our landscape and view a variety of live animals and educational displays.

Visit our website for a full list of our nature centers and Urban Park Ranger-led events.