Inside little-known forbidden islands near New York that have been abandoned for more than 60 years
Even if you want to go, chances are you won't get clearance to get on the island yourself
Gerrard Kaonga
Even if you have lived in New York all your life, you might not know about this little-known island that is forbidden to just about everyone.
New York City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, so you would think just about every bit of land close to it is up for grabs.
Well, you would be mistaken.
In fact, this island is less than a mile away from Manhattan and has been abandoned by people for over half a century.
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The island is known as North Brother Island and it even has an aptly named smaller sibling, South Brother island.
New York City owns the 22-acre plot of North Brother and it sits out of the East River between the South Bronx's industrial coast and the infamous Rikers Island Correctional Center.
So sounds like a rather eerie place to visit right?
As there is no public transport to the land, you’ll have to go by boat. So you had best get to renting, unless you are lucky enough to own your own.
Unfortunately, it is actually illegal for the public to set foot on either island, unless you have permission from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
But why?
Well, according to the city’s Parks and Rec page, the islands include ‘hazardous historic resources’ and it is a ‘protected nesting area’.
The website also explains the curious history of the islands and explains that all 25 buildings on North Brother islands are dilapidated.
The page read: “Humans occupied North Brother Island for 150 years. The island housed the Riverside Hospital from 1881-1943, WWII veterans’ housing from 1946-1951, and a youth drug rehabilitation center from 1952-1964.
“The island was also the site of the General Slocum disaster in 1904. The primary tenant on the island was the City-owned and operated Riverside Hospital, including the Tuberculosis Sanatorium and pavilions for designated illnesses, laboratories, as well as homes and dormitory facilities for doctors, nurses, and other staff members.”
Regarding the wildlife on the island, the majority of the birds are federally and state protected species, and access to their habitat is strictly controlled.
Speaking on the history and reasoning why, the page stated: “Up until the middle of the 1800s, many species of herons and egrets used lands in and around New York Harbor as nesting and foraging grounds.
“However, these birds were extirpated from the area in the latter half of the 19th century as a result of both hunting (commonly for their colorful feathers in fashion for ladies hats) and egg collecting, and declines in water quality as a result of the pollution.”
If you are still itching to go, you’ll have to fill out a form and understand that ‘permits will only be granted for compelling academic and scientific purposes’, so the best of luck to you.