‘Anyone But Trump.’ Push to rename Donald J. Trump park in NY as visitation plunges

The name of a New York state park may deter parkgoers from visiting the 436-acre site, according to state lawmakers who are fighting for a name change.

Donald J. Trump State Park, which sits east of the Hudson River in Westchester and Putnam counties, should be renamed after “anyone” else, according to state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg.

The two lawmakers have reintroduced a bill informally called the “Anyone But Trump Act” that aims to designate a new name for the park, a March 22 news release on the legislation said.

“The park’s association with the former president is contributing to its neglect and sparse visitation,” Hoylman-Sigal and Levenberg argue, according to the release.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation was unable to estimate how many people visit the park as it doesn’t track its visitation numbers, a spokesperson told McClatchy News.

The lawmakers’ new push to rename the park came a week before a Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump on charges related to how he’s accused of paying porn actor Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair they had before the 2016 election, the Associated Press reported.

“I have received many unprompted messages from constituents who are dismayed at driving past signs for Donald J. Trump State Park,” Levenberg, who has launched an online survey asking for public opinions on renaming the park, said in a statement.

“Frankly, it is triggering for many people to have a daily reminder of the hatred and vitriol Donald Trump unleashed in our nation’s politics,” Levenberg added. “Having one’s name on a park or a sign along our roadways is an honor, one that Donald Trump does not deserve, given his behavior.”

Specifically, the bill would direct the state parks commissioner “to conduct a legal review of the re-designation” of the park, and should it be within the office’s authority, rename and otherwise “improve the park for the enjoyment of the public,” according to the text of the bill.

In June 2021, the bill passed in the New York state Senate, according to the release. Now, the two lawmakers hope it’ll pass in both houses.

Park doesn’t appear on list of New York State Parks

New York has 180 state parks offering a range of amenities from hiking, boating, camping and more.

Though a state park, Donald J. Trump State Park isn’t officially listed on the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation’s website.

The park was named after Trump in 2006 when he donated the land to New York, the state Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation spokesperson told McClatchy News.

It’s “managed as undeveloped open space, and is open to passive recreation such as hiking and birdwatching,” the spokesperson said.

The park hasn’t received much funding since 2010 and isn’t regularly used, according to Levenberg.

She believes it has “the potential to become one of the most prestigious parks” in the state – but the Trump association may negatively impact its potential, she said in her online survey.

CBS New York recently spoke with local residents who have mixed feelings about removing Trump’s name.

“I think they’re wrong. They shouldn’t do it. Bad idea to change it,” John West, of Yorktown Heights, told CBS New York. “Because the man took his own time and money to donate this park to New York State.”

Another person, Richard Elkind, told the outlet that changing the park’s name is a “very good idea.”

“I would have taken it off a long time ago,” Elkind told CBS New York.

In the news release, Hoylman-Sigal argued to “correct” the park’s name, noting that it’s named after a twice-impeached president.

“New York State has always been known for welcoming and embracing people of all cultures and backgrounds, and even our park system reflects these values…. The names of these parks and green spaces should do the same,” the bill’s memo states.

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