State lawmakers renew call to change name of Donald J. Trump State Park

State Democrats have been pushing for a name change for years but lawmakers just haven't been able to get the bill signed into law.

Lisa LaRocca

Apr 3, 2023, 10:26 AM

Updated 397 days ago

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Some state lawmakers are renewing the call to rename Donald J. Trump State Park in Northern Westchester.
State democrats have been pushing for a name change for years but lawmakers just haven't been able to get the bill signed into law. The park straddles Westchester and Putnam counties.
The push to change the name of the park quieted down about two years ago, but the recent indictment of the former president has two state lawmakers giving it another try. 
Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg (D-95 Westchester and Putnam) along with state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-47 Manhattan) are once again pushing for the informally known as the "Anyone But Trump Act."
The bill passed the state Senate in June of 2021, but the Assembly never took up the bill before its session ended.
In 2006, Trump donated the 436 acres of land to establish the park after failing to build a golf course. The deal he cut with the state stipulates that when the park was created, it would bear his name.
And some lawmakers say a name change would violate the agreement.
Levenberg and Sigal say having the former president's name on the signs out on the Taconic State Parkway are triggering for many people. They claim the park's association with the former president is contributing to its neglect and low visitation numbers.
John West lives in the same neighborhood where the park is located.  He's got no problem with the name.
"I'd like to see them clean it up, make it into more of an enjoyable park instead of leaving it as natural as it is. Clean it up a little bit, make trails," says West.
However, other do not feel the same way. 
"Yes, they should change it, I do not like that man, I do not like him at all," says Margie Reisfeld, of New Rochelle.
Republicans gained a few seats in Albany during the recent midterm elections so time will tell if Democrats can push this bill through and get it signed into law this time around. 


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