Trump State Park

This lens is not a criticism of Mr. Trump. I am thankful to Mr. Trump for his generosity in donating this land for public use. I am merely pointing out the lack of response on the part of our public servants, the New York State Park Services, for not delivering on those promises. Please help and take the polls at the bottom. I am interested in your opinion.

- Jul. 2006

- updated Mar. 2016

A short history summary on the Trump State Park and current status.

1. April 19, 2006 - Governor George Pataki of NY and Donald Trump announcing Land Gift.
2. May 9, 2006 - Journal News article published on "Trump stands to benefit from land donated for park".
3. Nov.? 2006 - Four road signs was installed on the Taconic Parkway, 2 north bound and 2 south bound near the Baldwin Rd. Exit and the Jefferson Valley exit. The sign reads "Donald J Trump State Park French Hill/Indian Hill Section NEXT RIGHT".
4. Nov. 28, 2006 - A letter addressed to the Governor's office was sent by me regarding the "naming" of the Park after Mr. Trump and a copy of the letter was sent to the Journal News and published in the Letters section.

5. Dec. 7, 2006 - An article appeared in the Journal News "Road signs for Trump Park raise questions".
6. Dec. 13, 2006 - A letter was sent to NYS Parks Commissioner Ms. Bernadette Castro regarding the "naming" of the State Park along with the suggestion that a plaque would be a better honor to bestow on Mr. Trump. It also brought up the problem with the current status of the Park. The lack of facilities and the incompleteness of the park for the public.
7. April 20, 2007 - Created Squidoo lens to publicize this issue. It has been 6 months and no Park is in sight. Follow up letters were sent to the Governor and the Parks dept. and Mr. Trump. So far no responses.
8. May 19, 2007 - A new article appeared in the Journal News. See link below. Apparently, the Park is open to the public. I wonder if there is a safety risk for the public. With no facilities present and no lighting or parking or trail signs...
9. June 11, 2007 - Received letter of response from Carol Ash, NYS Park Commissioner. Please check below for entire content of her letter. They basically pass the buck to the previous administration regarding the naming of this park and to the Department of Transportation for installing the signs.
10. In 2010, the parks are closed with little fanfare. The State claims they lack the funds to keep them open. However, the large road signs on the Taconic Parkway remains.

Here are some recent photos of the Trump State Park (French Hill section).

• Road sign on the south bound Taconic Parkway just prior to the Baldwin Road Exit.

• A small sign directing the motorist to the State Park.

• A view of the single lane access road to the Dead End street where the Park is located.

• At the end of the road. The front entrance to the Park I assume...

• The left side of the gate - under construction.

• The right side of the gate.

• The roadway leading away from the Park.

• The construction in progress...

• A pit covered over...

Status of current construction at the Indian Hill section.

• Raod sign on Old Route 6 intersecting Indian Hill Road.

• Single lane road approx. 1/2 mile to the park.

• Road leading to the park entrance.

• Trump State Park sign by the entrance.

• Left side view of main gate.

• Right side view of main gate.

• Front view of main gate to Trump State Park.

On the Dec. 7, 2006 Journal News article, a spokesperson for the Parks department, Wendy Gibson, said and I quote "The first priority is access. In the next three to four weeks, there will be temporary parking, information kiosk, signs and gates..." We are 6 months into the time when the signs first was installed. There is little indication of a Park at the 2 locations.

Here is a list of what a typical park should consist of:

• parking space.
• paved access roads.
• Signs and lighting.
• Restrooms.
• Water fountain.
• Map of the area and list of amenities.
• An Entrance sign with the name prominently displayed.

In the process of researching this lot, Mr. Richard Crawford of Peekskill NY, has uncovered some very interesting history related to the French Hill section. It seems that Mr. William Baldwin have donated a plot of land back in 1928 to help with the construction of the Taconic Parkway. As a tribute to Mr. Baldwin, a bronze plaque was erected on a stone near that site.

1. A photo of an existing plaque located on the east side of the Taconic parkway near the Baldwin Rd. Exit.

2. The inscription on the plaque read:

   French Hill Farm

   An Estate of 550 acres assembled by William Delavan Baldwin

   First President of Westchester County Park Commission.

   Established 1922

   The heights east of this spot were occupied by the French army

   under Rochambeau during the American Revolution.

   Mr. Baldwin donated more than 25 acres of this farm including this site

   to the State of New York in 1928 for the Bronx River Parkway extension

   build under the direction of the Westchester Park Commission.

Here are a few suggestions going forward.

• For the Park Services - Please get your act together and finish the Park as promised.
• In the meantime, please cover up the road signs. It leads to nowhere at the moment.
• After the park is completed, please consider putting up a plaque to honor Mr. Trump for his generosity.
• At he same time, please consider re-naming the 2 Parks to some more appropriate names.
• To Mr. Trump - please use your clout with the Park Services and the Governor's office and push to get the Park finished as promised. Do you want a Park associated with the Trump brand to be left in shambles?

A poll to see what is your preference for naming the new State park.

What should be done to the road signs on the Taconic Parkway (until the Parks are ready for the public use).