Today, Swinburne Island exists in a state of natural reclamation with minimal human intervention. Most structures have succumbed to decades of neglect, vandalism, and natural forces, with Hurricane Sandy delivering particularly devastating damage in 2012. Currently managed by the National Park Service as part of the Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, the island is not accessible to the public. The remaining visible features include crumbling brick walls and a smokestack, possibly from the former crematorium. Despite its abandoned state, the island now serves a valuable ecological purpose as a sanctuary for various bird species, including Double-crested Cormorants, Great Black-backed Gulls, and Herring Gulls. Though largely forgotten in public consciousness, Swinburne Island stands as a physical reminder of New York's historic approaches to immigration, disease control, and public health policy.
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