The letter includes signatures by Trump’s lawyers and by Trump himself, and it was "acknowledged and accepted" by James Sponable, who was then the Parks Department’s director of real property. The name will be prominently displayed at least at each entrance to each property." Trump’s name, in acknowledgment of these gifts. The letter outlined several terms, one of which is the following: "Each of the properties will bear a name which includes Mr. The land deed for the property does not include any naming provisions, but the state named the park after Trump based on a letter of agreement between the Parks Department and Trump’s lawyers. Trump gave the land to New York State in 2006 after the former president failed in building a golf course on it. Trump State Park sits on the border of Putnam and Westchester counties along the Taconic Parkway. But we decided to take a look at the issue and explain what we found.ĭonald J. Is Galef right that New York state could change the name without too much difficulty? The answer isn’t clear enough for us to render a Truth-O-Meter verdict. "This would be breaching its agreement by removing Trump’s name, and Trump will take whatever legal action that may be necessary to fully enforce his rights under this agreement." "Despite the fact that the state has done a horrible job running and maintaining the park in question, an utter disgrace to such incredible land and a generous donation, the conditions of this gift, formally documented and accepted by the state of New York, could not be clearer: the park must bear Trump’s name," Trump’s office said in a statement. 11, a bill advanced in the Assembly to continue talks on renaming the park.īut the former president may pursue litigation against the state if the Parks Department decides to rename the park, a Trump spokesman said. Galef has support in her quest to rename the park: On Feb. "My concern is that people aren’t going to want to put money into Trump Park, whether it’s state dollars or any private dollars." "Around this area, when you have ‘Trump’ on the name of something, it doesn’t go over very well," Galef said. Galef said she believes the park should instead be named after former New York Gov. In an interview, Galef added that the park "really hasn’t been fixed up" and that efforts to do so would be hobbled by having Trump’s name on it. Trump did not sign the appropriate documents with the state, rendering any claim of breach of contract moot. 14 letter to Erik Kulleseid, the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner in New York, Galef wrote, "It is my understanding that Mr. Trump donated the land for the park, and it was agreed at the time it would be named after him. New York Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, a Democrat, said she believes a park currently named for Trump north of New York City should be renamed. Even after officially decamping for Palm Beach, Fla., former President Donald Trump has continued to stir emotions in his previous home state of New York.