Central Landing
2024 - 2030
Central Landing
The Central Landing is a significant location on Hart Island where institutional buildings once stood until their removal in 2022 to make the island safe for visitors and create new burial space. A chapel built by Catholic Charities in 1931 remains a ruin.
This area became active for adult burials around 2010, and many COVID-19 burials were conducted here between 2020 and 2022. Beginning in June 2024, the size of mass graves in this area increased by 33% to 200 adults per plot.
Due to its proximity to the ferry, this area is easily accessible for visitors. New York City Parks is planning to build a visitor center nearby.
Meadows Planting and Grave Reuse
Deep rooted meadows are planted even before the new burial process begins
This project proposes planting Hart Island's burial grounds with deep-rooted meadow species. These species will replace the closely mown lawn grass that the city currently maintains and will help anchor the island's soil, protecting it against erosion. The meadows will also add valuable habitat for wildlife.
Simple paths will be mown through the meadows to provide visitors with access to the burial grounds. The planting mixes for these meadows are readily available and should include a mixture of wildflowers, grasses, rushes, and sedges that can thrive on the island.
Landscape of Hope
This project was conducted in collaboration with landscape architecture researchers at The Ohio State University Knowlton School and was made possible with support of the Lily Auchicloss Foundation and through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Landscape Design Team Members: Jake Boswell, Jack Gruber, Brendan Ayer and Melinda Hunt
©2025 The Hart Island Project
