Press Releases

This month, NYC Parks marks one year since expanding public access to Hart Island, the city’s public cemetery. On November 21, 2023, the Urban Park Rangers hosted the very first free walking tour of Hart Island — the first time in the island’s history that public tours had been offered. Since then, the Urban Park Rangers have hosted more than 560 participants on twice-monthly public tours, and nearly 90 students on private school group tours.

“Once shrouded in mystery, NYC Parks has lifted the veil on Hart Island, offering New Yorkers and visitors from around the world the chance to visit and learn the history of this complicated and essential part of our city's history. We’re incredibly proud to report that in one year since our very first public tour, Parks has given more than 650 participants the opportunity to walk the grounds of Hart Island, led by our expert and incredibly compassionate Urban Park Rangers. This program ensures that the stories of those buried on the island are not forgotten,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We’re also pleased to advance a plan to improve the island, with the goals to enhance the visitor experience, address the impacts of climate change, restore the natural ecology, and improve operations for greater efficiency.”

The largest public cemetery in the United States, Hart Island still functions as an active burial site and is the final resting place of over 1 million individuals.

Public tours are designed to inform visitors about the history of the island, reduce historical stigmas surrounding its past, respectfully acknowledge those who are buried there, and educate the public about its role as critical city infrastructure.

While initial Hart Island tours focused on the northern part of the island, Parks diversified its programming in 2024 to offer both north and south island tours, providing visitors with opportunities to see more of the island and learn more about those who were laid to rest there.

In 2024, Urban Park Rangers also began hosting school groups at Hart Island through the Natural Classroom program, which gives students a first-hand experience to study sites of historic significance under NYC Parks jurisdiction.

To join a public tour, registration is required through an online form and participants are selected by lottery. All public history tours are done on foot and last approximately 2.5 hours, with free ferry transportation provided to and from Hart Island. One tour per month focuses on the northern part of Hart Island, while one tour covers the southern portion of the island.

Upcoming public tours will be held on the following dates: