Exploring the Abandoned Kings Park Psychiatric Center | Long Island, NY

[@whojr1963]

Eventually, the Kings County Asylum began to suffer from overcrowding. In 1895, control of the asylum passed into state hands and was subsequently renamed the "Kings Park State Hospital". The surrounding community known as "St. Johnland" adopted the name "Kings Park". and this is how the town was named Kings Park. My house is on the walking trail of this park, its a beautiful park and thanks for the making of this video.

[@christopherbarbato1054]

Hi, I am a local amateur explorer and am also a huge lover of the outdoors. In this video you commented that you see lots of locals “breaking” into these buildings. Well, just so you know I was one of those individuals there with my family the day you were filming and we were not breaking into anything. We were doing exactly what you were doing, which is exploring. And another thing we are locals we did not come here from some other place just to see this and put it on the Internet so now other people could come and see this place. What is funny is that you’re not allowed to film anything in the facility because we were confronted by the state police that are still on site who informed us of this ( even though no one was filming or even had a phone in hand).I also go there to collect praying mantis eggs to put in my gardens to keep away predator bugs so I know that when me and my people go explore, we are sure to be respectful of the facility.

[@danajooks9677]

Go in those buildings....they have wonderful artworks and serious ambience

[@RichardZabielski-ql9ss]

No they don't. It's 99 percent trash graffiti now

[@CardHalf]

Oh man. We used to deliver pizzas to the long term building before it closed. The admissions building used to have boxes and boxes of documentation in the basement regarding admitted individuals and what they had on their person at the time of entering the facility. Had a friend who's property backed KPPC - a short hike through the woods and we were in the housing development. Most of it was picked over by that time (roughly 2005-07) This was a nice stroll down memory lane.

[@JimmysDonuts]

I actually live near this place. My younger brother went here with his friends to explore the building. After a terrifying journey to get to the roof, they were greeted by some guys with a radio and a portable grill cooking hotdogs. I swear on my life I am not kidding.

[@jacktorrance8728]

I’ve heard many times that building #7 housed the criminally insane . Great video man

[@ShyguySky]

Through a lot of your videos I’m able to relive memories I thought were lost. From kppc to south of the border and so on. I love your style in creating videos. I can tell you’re on the way up and I just in the bottom floor, can’t wait to see where you’ll go ¨̮

[@RichardZabielski-ql9ss]

I remember when we used to sneak in from the waters edge and access points to the buildings were hard to find but existed. People were still scared to even walk through the property than bc patients stayed living here bc they had nowhere to go. These days families walk through constantly. Now ppl just drive in and walk into the buildings. Access is everywhere for buildings now. When I went in i found the smaller buildings to be more interesting. The larger were fun to look at though. Graffiti was minimal and now it takes up 99 percent of the walls. Paperwork covered the floors back than and was quite interesting to read. The living quarters still had furniture, equipment still lingered, basements still held property, mazes were not blocked, cafeterias, industrial refrigerators everywhere morgues and cemeteries. This was a Massive industry in itself it's just huge. Demolition is what is will happen. It has already been approved.

[@Tanneritefilledfido]

Building 22 has got to be haunted. I used to explore alone and I’ve always experienced paranormal activity in it

[@whitenas]

Cool video. I grew up in the shadows of these buildings. My friends and I spent some time inside them and the tunnel system. There really should be a professional and detailed documentary done by the state. ... I meet a lot of people in my line of work. Every so often I meet someone who worked there. I ask so many questions. Side note. during construction My grandfather drove a truck back and forth from Brooklyn delivering materials. Sadly he passed before I could ask him any questions.

[@tims441]

In between 93 and the listeria building used to be cafe 56. Very entertaining place when the facility was still open

[@voltrc]

I don't know why NY State closed this institution down. The State also closed down Pilgrim State and Willow Brook Psych. Hospital. The mentally ill people are running around NYC causing Havoc. Walk around Manhattan and you will see at least one deranged person on every block. I hope one day the State will reconsider and reopen these Psych. Hospitals.

[@Pharoah67]

The art drawn by the patient is in the basement of building 93. The paintings were done by a famous cartoonist named Percy Crosby whose comic strip character Skippy was very popular from the mid nineteen twenties thru the mid forties. The vandals destroyed his work. Sad but true.

[@Pharoah67]

Thank you for this video. Recently moved to Florida but for decades I visited this place weekly living on Long Island. You are correct about the building behind 93 being a “support” building, as this was the Laundry building for the complex. Awesome video, Ian. 🎸

[@big_mike_nyc]

My kids play soccer on the field located right inside that property, towards the back.. I drive through there weekly! Great exploration video! 👏

[@tims441]

Bldg 7 was actually taller than 93 before they demolished the cube. It feels creepy because several people have fallen to their demise from the top. One of the reasons it was demolished. Also right where you're walking a large single story building used to be attached to building 7. Had a pool and a bowling alley. Was probably the largest building square in square footage. The grounds are now split in half. You should check out the other side. The medical building and building 44 aka The Quad

[@ovrezy]

It was an entire community, with housing and industry along with treatment. Many patients were there voluntarily, on an out patient basis, and worked or attended schools in the neighboring community. Pilgrim State is a similarly abandoned campus a few miles southwest of

[@tims441]

Yes. Most of the wooden structures that look residential were for staff doctors and nurses

[@craig2688]

More information can be found at Wikipedia. There are explanations of alot of the buildings.

[@halojill4937]

Great video, Ian! Thank you!

[@jacktorrance8728]

Also … maybe I missed it in your video , there’s a railway system on the grounds . Tracks and a locomotive were found many years ago .

[@KCNY11787]

The white homes on St Johnland Rd. were residents of some psychiatrists, employees always lived off the grounds. Nisseqouge Yacht Club (on grounds) had slips for employees where my mom (Social Worker) obtained a private slip for our family boat. On the LI Sound we aimed for building 93 to get to the river. There was a coal plant to run the facility, near the middle school. The grounds were a cut through to 25A , to St Joseph’s Catholic Church, to The Kings Park Bluff restaurant Old Dock Inn. There is a IFC film from the 90’s where they interview psychiatrists and employees, some wild and sad information including how patients lined up for pitchers of Thorazine. It was never a luxurious place, at one time wealthy men could have problem wives admitted. If people had family members with issues they sometimes dropped them off at the intake building steps alone. My mom loved her patients, she was then transferred to Pilgrim Psychiatric Center.

[@MS-vu4tp]

You should explore Crownsville Hospital complex in Anne Arundel County, MD. Alot of interesting old buildings . Some look like they have been repurposed but a lot seem to be abandoned.

[@SunnnyDay]

This series of buildings was a topic of conversation about 2 weeks ago. I asked, why hasn't the land been developed? Short answer, the entire site is heavily contaminated with asbestos.

[@deborahlockridge302]

Great video. But just a thought...thats a lot of land. It could be put to use if the state would build it up and create housing.

[@tims441]

Yes the medical building was built after WW1 for veterans. Was the only building that was an actual hospital. Also probably the creepiest building to explore inside. Leads down to a web of underground tunnels

[@garyhughestransvestigates5947]

You should do pilgrim state, its just a few miles south on the sagtikos pkwy where you are currently at

[@audreyann1975]

I'm born and raised on LI and as a teenager in late 80's and early 90's we would go exploring at night. Actually our goal as teenagers was to party there at night without being bothered by the law.

[@SilentStudioExplores]

flew my drone here. instantly will bring security to you. they tell you there is a field near by for RC aircraft. but i mean obviously they cant stop the drone. i got a few videos on this place. really is gutted and cleaned out. just brick and cement floors lol

[@markreamer5113]

I think it’s the “powers that be” that would rather have these buildings forgotten and those who were living in them by allowing them to be ludicrously vandalized as to say that they were unimportant and now have no place in society!

[@xltrt]

Wasn't there a building that was known as the power plant for KPPC? Provided electricity for the complex. A building known as the bakery? Another building that disposed of garbage by burning it? Too bad you didn't find the cemetery area. Would have been interesting to see. It is sad to see so much vandalism on the buildings. And people who go inside the buildings to destroy them forget there's asbestos and lead paint in them. Perhaps there's an unhealthy punishment awaiting them in the future.

[@javiervelez5712]

Video sucks because you did not go in to explore, but I appreciate your effort and research into the history of the building. Gave you a thumbs up anyway.

[@butchkeenan2257]

All of those buildings contain large amounts of asbestos. Before they can be demolished, it would all need to be removed. Its extremely expensive and is deemed not cost effective.

[@user-gb7oz8hf6v]

Doing the thorazin shuffle.

[@margeharrison7638]

its still open. go to orange 72 i belive.

[@SlowA.4]

I plan on going there soon, lived on Long Island for mad long and the only 1 time i went i was with another person who knew where to go so now im clueless and watching videos

[@RichardZabielski-ql9ss]

When I used to go, we entered the property from the waters edge and access points to the buildings weren't that easy to find but they existed. Fast forward 30 years access points are everywhere and people drive in straight from the street. All you have to do is look at Google maps, follow the directions and walk up to the buildings. Hope that helps!! I found the smaller buildings more interesting than the larger.

[@kgoger]

That’s my home town

[@tims441]

Are you from the area?

[@ted1091]

How about rehabbing one or two of the buildings to house the homeless?