By: Hal C Clarke

New York City is preparing for a gradual but meaningful transformation of Hart Island, the nation’s largest public cemetery, according to detailed reporting by the New York Post. A new long-term plan proposes to introduce visitor-friendly infrastructure while preserving the solemn, reflective nature of the island — which has served as a potter’s field for more than 150 years.

Located in the Long Island Sound just off the coast of the Bronx, Hart Island has been the final resting place for over one million people since 1869. Those buried there are primarily the unclaimed, the poor, the homeless, stillborn infants, and individuals who could not afford private burial arrangements. For decades, Hart Island was shrouded in mystery and largely inaccessible to the public. It was managed by the Department of Corrections, and burials were carried out by inmates from Rikers Island.

As the Post highlights, that changed in 2021 when management of the island was transferred to NYC Parks, opening the door to a more compassionate and transparent approach to remembering the dead and welcoming the living. Since then, over 1,900 relatives have visited their loved ones’ burial sites, despite the island’s lack of basic amenities.

Now, a 20-year vision aims to make the island more hospitable to those making the emotional journey to visit. The city is considering the construction of a visitor’s center, permanent restrooms, shaded areas, and benches to give people space to mourn and reflect in comfort. NYC Parks Project Planner Laura Melendez told the Post that while the improvements are still unfunded, they will be implemented incrementally as resources become available.

“One of the most consistent messages we heard from the community was the desire to preserve the island’s contemplative and peaceful atmosphere,” Melendez said. “But people also asked for amenities to support the families who come — like seating, restrooms, and shade.”

Currently, the only facilities available are portable toilets, and there’s no access to drinking water. Despite these limitations, the number of visitors has grown since the city began offering public tours in 2023. Those visits are restricted to people who win a biweekly lottery and are led by NYC Urban Park Rangers. So far, 848 members of the public have taken part in these guided experiences, according to the Post.

Even with the increased interest, city officials insist that Hart Island will not become a recreational destination like Governors Island. “You’re not going to be coming here to throw a football around or have a picnic,” said Ranger Michael Whitten. “This is a place for remembrance — and it needs to stay that way.”

In addition to visitor amenities, the concept plan includes ecological and structural upgrades. These include shoreline stabilization to prevent erosion, improvements to natural habitat management, and enhanced maintenance systems. The island’s 90-year-old chapel, a remnant of its institutional past, will be preserved in its current weathered state as a historical “ruin.”

The plan also features a “remembrance walk” and a permanent site for the memorial honoring victims of global pandemics, which currently stands temporarily near the island’s entrance.

Urban Park Ranger Fi Whalen told the Post that the changes are ultimately about honoring both the dead and the living. “The future of Hart Island reflects the future of our city,” she said. “How we care for the people buried here — and how we care for those who grieve for them — should be a priority.”