North Brother Island Is Off Limits
Now only the birds explore the abandoned buildings. The island is now a bird sanctuary, part of the Harbor Herons Region due to the marshlands and lack of urban development. Years of vacancy and neglect have led to the buildings crumbling and falling into disrepair. The site is difficult to get to and hazardous to visitors, accessible only by boat. Visitors need to have official permission from the City of New York to visit North Brother Island. Officials don’t grant many permits. Permits that are granted are mainly to scientists and academic researchers with a compelling need to study the flora, fauna, or remains of architecture and infrastructure on the island. It is illegal to go to the island without a permit from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.