Deep within Manhattan’s northern tip lies a secret. It is a sprawling green space that whispers tales of ancient tribes and revolutionary battles. This is Inwood Hill Park a place where nature and history intertwine.
Inwood Hill Park covers 196 acres. It offers a unique landscape unlike any other in Manhattan. Here, the densely folded terrain rises dramatically above the Hudson River. It showcases the island’s largest remaining old-growth forest.
Imagine stepping back in time to the pre-Columbian era. The Wecquaesgeek tribe, part of the Wappinger people, called this area home. They spoke the Munsee language. For nearly 700 years, they thrived here, relying on the Hudson and Harlem Rivers for sustenance. Their village, Shorakapok meaning “the sitting place,” stood proudly on the park’s eastern edge.
Artifacts discovered within Inwood Hill Park’s rock shelters tell stories of their lives. These shelters provided temporary living quarters. The remains of old campfires offer a glimpse into their daily routines.
Fast forward to the American Revolutionary War. Fort Cockhill, a five-sided earthen structure, stood guard on the park’s northwestern edge. Equipped with two cannons, it overlooked the confluence of Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Hudson River. This strategic location was known as Cox’s Hill or Tubby Hook Hill.
European colonization brought changes. Forests were cleared and farms were established. Even during the Revolutionary War, both British and American troops burned the forests of what would become Inwood Hill Park.
Despite these changes, Inwood Hill Park remained largely untouched by development. By the 19th century, it became a haven for wealthy families seeking country retreats. Isidor Straus, co-owner of Macy’s, had a summer estate here. The Lords of the Lord and Taylor also built mansions within the park.
The vision for Inwood Hill Park began to take shape in 1895. Andrew Haswell Green, an early parks commissioner, proposed creating a park in Inwood. His idea gained momentum thanks to archaeological finds and the area’s natural beauty. Between 1915 and the early 1940s, the city acquired the land that makes up the park today.
Inwood Hill Park officially opened in 1926. During the 1930s, Robert Moses removed squatters and built the West Side Highway, which cuts through the park. The Works Project Administration paved trails and installed lampposts.
In 1992, the central old-growth forest area was designated as Shorakapok Preserve. In 1995, the Inwood Hill Nature Center opened near the park entrance on 218th Street.
The park was once home to a “Great Tulip Tree”. It was considered the largest tree on Manhattan. The tree stood for centuries. Sadly, a storm felled it in 1933.
Today, a boulder and plaque mark the spot. The plaque claims this was the site where Peter Minuit negotiated the purchase of Manhattan Island from Native Americans.
As you explore Inwood Hill Park, notice its diverse geology. Marble, schist, and limestone are all prevalent here. The park is next to the Dyckman Street Fault, which caused a magnitude 2 earthquake in 1989.
The forest is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The area along the Harlem River includes Muscota Marsh, one of Manhattan’s last remaining salt marshes. The park also attempted to reintroduce bald eagles to Manhattan.
Inwood Hill Park offers playgrounds, baseball and soccer fields, and tennis and basketball courts. It also has facilities for barbecuing, a dog run, and kayak and canoe launches. Ten miles of footpaths crisscross the park.
Inwood Hill Park stands as a testament to nature’s resilience. It is a place where you can immerse yourself in the history and natural beauty of Manhattan’s northern tip.