Park Located in N. Westchester and Putnam Counties; Assemblywoman Levenberg Sponsor, State Senator Harckham Co-Sponsor
“Given his divisive and un-democratic actions, some liken the renaming of the park to the removal of Confederate monuments.” press release from State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Levenberg
By Dan Murphy
Before writing about former President Donald Trump, I like to clarify that in both 2016 and 2020, I didn’t vote for Trump. Nor did I vote for Hillary or Biden. I voted 3rd party-independent. And last month we wrote about our opposition to efforts to rename the Mario Cuomo Bridge (formerly the Tappan Zee Bridge). Our view was that is was a waste of time and money, and that our state has much more pressing issues that our elected officials should be focused on.
We take a similar view with the legislation introduced in Albany to rename Donld J. Trump State Park. The park is hidden in a remote area of Yorktown and Putnam Valley, on the Northern Westchester border with Putnam County. It is more of a large, 436-acre preserved greenspace, with only walking trails available to visitors.
Westchester Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg, and Manhattan State Senator Brady Hoylman have introduced a bill to rename Trump park. Their claim is that the Trump name is hurting the parks popularity, and is contributing to its neglect and sparse visitation.
A release from Hoylman and Levenberg states, “In the bill’s memo, the legislators argue that “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.” During his presidential campaigns and his time in office, Trump disparaged many different groups of people. He also actively sought to undermine the results of the 2020 election, going so far as to instigate a violent riot on January 6, 2021 that left five dead and many others injured, including 138 police officers.”
We took note of this part of the release. “Given his divisive and un-democratic actions, some liken the renaming of the park to the removal of Confederate monuments.”
“I have received many unprompted messages from constituents who are dismayed at driving past signs for Donald J. Trump State Park,” said Assemblywoman Levenberg, who has also opened a survey soliciting local opinions on the topic on her section of the Assembly website. “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. 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.”
State Senator Brad Hoylman said: “New York wants nothing to do with Donald Trump. Just last week, Trump once again called for public protests. The last time he rallied his supporters, five people were killed and mass destruction of the U.S. Capitol ensued. Our public spaces should be named after people that embody the values of civility and inclusivity that New Yorkers are proud to honor. Our bill makes clear that Donald Trump is not that person.”
The bill, also informally known as the “Anyone But Trump Act,” passed the State Senate on June 10, 2021. Hoylman-Sigal and Levenberg hope that the time is finally right for the bill’s passage in both houses.
“This park has tremendous potential, and we deserve a great state park,” said Levenberg. “This park cannot be great with such an ignoble name.”
Senator Hoylman-Sigal added, “It’s the shame of New York that we have a state park named after a twice-impeached U.S. president. Let’s correct this for the benefit of future generations.”
Westchester State Senator Pete Harckham is also listed as a co-sponsor. The legislation was not voted on in the Assembly in 2021, but died in the Cultural Affairs Committee.
What is also interesting to note is that the park is located in both Westchester and Putnam Counties. Putnam County voters twice voted for Trump for President, with 56% of the vote in 2016 and 54% in 2020.
In the comments below the bill online, Cythia Radliff writes, I feel it would be a disgrace to change the name of the President Donald Trump park sign. I love President Trump and know many other people do.”
And one of the many Trump voters in the area reminded us, asking the democratic legislators, “What if Trump doesn’t get indicted? And what if he is reelected in 2024? Both are a real possibility, what happens then if we remove his name from the park? Do we put his name back?”
