The Shorakapok Preserve in Inwood Hill Park is part of Forever Wild, which is a program with the goal of protecting “ecologically valuable” land. This first started earlier on in the semester as a personal project, which I chose to expand upon for the purposes of this project. The significance of this particular location is that it has the last natural forest and salt water marsh in Manhattan. I chose to expose this area when all the vegetation has died and very few people come to visit as well as incorporating some pictures of the forested areas when they were still alive. There is a great contrast to the city and to many this preserve does not even seem to be a part of Manhattan.
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- The last natural forest in Manhattan
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- It is almost imposible to see the sky through the forested areas.
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- “Indian” caves are natural rocks that overhang, which were once used as shelter by Native Americans.
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- The inside of an “Indian” cave is pitch dark.
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- There are dried up streams of water throughout the park.
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- Numerous paths have been constructed within the park.
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- Parts of the salt marsh freeze over during the winter.
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- The salt marsh is home to geese and ducks year round.
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- Boat House.
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- Many people run and hike on the paths in the park.
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- Highschool football teams often come to practice in the wide open areas.
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- According to legend Manhattan Island was purchased here.
