Muscota Marsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muscota Marsh |
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Muscota Marsh, with freshwater wetland covered by snow in foreground
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Manhattan, New York City |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Operated by | New York City Department of Parks and Recreation |
| Status | Open all year |
Muscota Marsh is a cool one-acre park in New York City. You can find it in the Inwood part of Manhattan. The park sits right on the edge of Spuyten Duyvil Creek, which is part of the Harlem River. It's next to bigger places like Inwood Hill Park and Columbia University's sports complex. People love Muscota Marsh for its amazing views and special nature features.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Muscota" comes from the Lenape language. The Lenape people were Native Americans who lived in this area long ago. "Muscota" means "place of rushes" or "place in the reeds." This name fits perfectly because the park has many plants that grow in wet, marshy areas.
A Special Place for Nature
Muscota Marsh is very unique because it has two different types of wetlands in one small spot. It has both a freshwater marsh and a salt marsh.
- A freshwater marsh is a wet area with water that isn't salty. It's like a big, shallow pond filled with special plants.
- A salt marsh is a wet area where the water is salty, like the ocean. This type of marsh is found near the coast or tidal rivers.
These wetlands are super important! They help clean rainwater before it flows into the river. This makes the river water much healthier. They also provide a home for many different plants and animals.
Fun Things to Do
Muscota Marsh is a great place to visit. You can enjoy:
- A special dock for kayaks and canoes.
- Comfy benches where you can sit and relax.
- Walking paths to explore the park.
- A wooden deck that looks out over the river. From here, you can see Inwood Hill Park, the Henry Hudson Bridge, and the amazing New Jersey Palisades. You can also spot the Spuyten Duyvil area of the Bronx.
How the Park Was Built
Muscota Marsh opened to the public in January 2014. It was built by Columbia University. This happened as part of a deal when the university was building a new sports center next door.
The park was designed by a company called James Corner Field Operations. They also helped design another famous park in Manhattan called the High Line. Muscota Marsh is managed by both the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and Columbia University. Columbia helps keep the park clean and safe.
Gallery
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Salt marsh area, with small flags to discourage Canada geese from eating newly planted Spartina grasses.
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View from park with Inwood Hill Park, Henry Hudson Bridge, N.J. Palisades, and Spuyten Duyvil section of the Bronx.
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Boat dock and deck covered in snow, with Columbia "C" on opposite bank.
