Michael Dabin/New York Daily News
‘Muscato Marsh’ is set to open in October after months of delays, offering residents increased access to the waterfront adjacent to Inwood Hill Park (pictured).
A park that will increase residents’ access to Inwood’s waterfront marshland will finally open next month, more than a year after its scheduled opening, city and Columbia University officials told the Daily News on Friday.
The opening of “Muscato Marsh” by October is a big step for the long-stalled redevelopment on the riverfront at W. 218th St.
The waterfront park’s completion was delayed by the damages Inwood Hill Park incurred during Superstorm Sandy, officials said. The park had to be redesigned to withstand future floods, and the walkway to the dock had to be regraded.
Freshwater wetland plantings were grown offsite over the course of several months, and then transferred to the new park.
But the delays will soon come to an end, officials said.
“The major construction for Muscato Marsh is finished and the university is working on completing the last few remaining items,” said Columbia University spokeswoman Victoria Benitez.
The park will increase public access to the waterfront, restore and extend the native marshland adjacent to Inwood Hill Park and add space for educational and recreational activities.
The project comes as part of a Community Benefits Agreement, which stipulated that Columbia had to donate some land for public use in exchange for permission to build its new Campbell Sports Center at Baker Athletics Complex.
It was initially scheduled to open in 2012.
The waterfront park — formerly called Boathouse Marsh — is a mix of salt- and freshwater, and it includes new vegetation.
Parks Department spokesman Philip Abramson told The News that the park opening was imminent.
“The work is mostly done,” he said, adding there is a list of items that must be completed before the park can be opened.
He said those last finishing touches include the rewiring of park lighting, the installation of handrails and the addition of some signage.
“The major elements of the construction are completed,” Abramson said.
“We’re working with Columbia to make sure everything is completed quickly so that it can open this fall. We’re hoping to get it done as soon as possible.”
mfeeney@nydailynews.com
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