City News | Economic Development

Residents express confusion, dissatisfaction with accessibility of Manhattanville climbing gym

VITAL is one of the only climbing gyms in the neighborhood, yet some West Harlem residents remain unaware of its accessibility to non-Columbia affiliates.

By Sofia Wadler / Staff Photographer

When it opened in 2016, the University pitched the gym—one of the only rock climbing gyms in West Harlem—as filling a unique gap in the area for locals.

By Franka Etkin • February 26, 2026 at 6:26 AM

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