NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – New York City Parks announced on Wednesday that it is offering free public tours of Hart Island – the city’s public cemetery – to increase access to the island, reduce historical stigmas around its past and educate the public.
Hart Island, which has served NYC since 1869, is the burial ground for over one million people and is the nation’s largest public cemetery. The island has a winding history that includes its use as a quarantine station, psychiatric hospital, tuberculosis ward and jail, among other things.
“Our Urban Park Rangers have created informative and reflective programming that highlights the island's important role in New York City history,” NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said.
Donoghue also noted that the island will be undergoing beautification efforts to improve the experience of families visiting gravesites, as the cemetery will remain the city’s main burial spot for the forseeable future.
Management of the island was transferred to NYC Parks and NYC Human Resources Association from the NYC Department of Corrections in 2021.
Each two and a half hour walking tour will be led by NYC Parks’ Urban Park Rangers discussing the island’s history, wildlife and natural aspects, the burial process and island advocacy.
Hart Island is located near City Island off the coast of the Bronx and participants will be provided ferry transportation to and from the island, NYC Parks said.
Tours will be held twice a month starting Nov. 21 and ending May 28.
Spots on the tour will be offered through a lottery registration. Registration for the first tour ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, and more information about future tours can be seen on the Parks Department website, here.
The dates of the other tours are below:
• Dec. 5, 2023
• Dec. 19, 2023
• Jan. 16, 2024
• Jan. 30, 2024
• Feb. 13, 2024
• Feb. 27, 2024
• March 12, 2024
• March 26, 2024
• April 9, 2024
• April 23, 2024
• May 14, 2024
• May 28, 2024