New Name Honors First Stewards of Land that Became Yonkers
(Left to Right: Yonkers Parks, Recreation & Conservation Commissioner Steve Sansone; President Shannon Holsey, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians; Mayor Mike Spano; Sculptor Al Wadzinski; Yonkers City Councilwoman Deana Norman; Yonkers City Councilwoman Tasha Diaz with the newly installed “Many Trails” sculpture at Daylighting II at 2 Mill Street. Photo Credit: Maurice Mercado/City of Yonkers
Mayor Mike Spano today announced the official renaming of Daylighting II at 2 Mill Street to Many Trails Park, in recognition of the Indigenous people who first inhabited the land that is now the City of Yonkers.
The new name honors the region’s Native American heritage, including the Lenape, Munsee, and Mohican people, whose history and traditions remain deeply connected to the Hudson River Valley. A new metal sculpture, designed by Native American artist Al Wadzinski, that recognizes how the history of Yonkers and Native American are intertwined was installed at the rededicated park.
“This name reminds us that the story of Yonkers began long before our City was founded,” said Mayor Spano. “By renaming this site Many Trails Park, we honor the first stewards of this land, the Lenape, Munsee, and Mohican people. We also recognize the deep history that continues to shape Yonkers today.”
“Parks are where community, culture, and nature come together,” said Yonkers Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Commissioner Steve Sansone. “Many Trails Park will serve as a lasting tribute to the Indigenous people whose connection to this land is woven into the fabric of Yonkers’ history.”
Located along the daylighted Saw Mill River, Many Trails Park stands as a symbol of respect, remembrance, and unity. The park’s name was chosen to reflect the many paths, journeys, and communities that have shared this land throughout history.
President Shannon Holsey of the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican Indians said, “As we dedicate this park in Yonkers, we honor not only the beauty of nature but the enduring legacy of those who came before us. Most fitting during Native American Heritage Month, we are called to recognize the stories, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous peoples—while also confronting the ongoing issue of erasure that has too often silenced these voices. We are grateful to Mayor Spano for the opportunity to contribute to the diverse landscape and communities of the City of Yonkers. Let us keep our ears open, our hearts united, and continue to build spaces where every person is seen, heard, and valued. Inclusion is not just an ideal; it is our responsibility to ensure that every generation and every community feels a sense of belonging and pride in our shared future.”
The renaming of the park is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to honor and preserve Yonkers’ diverse cultural and historical roots. November celebrates Native American Heritage. Plans for a mural to depict the Native American settlement are also underway at the same location.
