If you’re driving up the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County, you might see a massive green sign for Donald J. Trump State Park. It looks official. It looks like it leads to a place with picnic tables, clean restrooms, and maybe a scenic overlook or two. But if you actually take the exit and follow the signs, you’ll realize pretty quickly that something is... off.
Honestly, it’s not a park in any traditional sense. There are no swing sets. No rangers. No paved parking lots with lines. Basically, it’s 436 acres of overgrown meadows, crumbling foundations, and quiet woods that feel more like the set of a post-apocalyptic movie than a state-run recreational facility. You’ve probably heard of "passive parks," but this takes the concept to a whole new level of "doing absolutely nothing."
How a Failed Golf Course Became a Tax Break
The story starts back in the late 1990s. Donald Trump bought the land—divided into two parcels called French Hill and Indian Hill—for about $2.75 million. The plan was simple: build a world-class, $10 million private golf course.
But local officials in Yorktown and Putnam Valley weren't exactly thrilled. They raised massive environmental concerns about wetlands and pesticides. After years of fighting for permits and getting nowhere, Trump decided to change tactics. In 2006, he donated the land to New York State.
Now, here’s where the numbers get wild.
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While he bought the land for less than $3 million, Trump claimed the donation was worth a staggering **$100 million** for tax purposes. By gifting it to the state, he potentially saved a fortune in income taxes. The only catch? The state had to agree that his name would be "prominently displayed at least at each entrance to each property."
What’s Actually There? (Spoiler: Not Much)
If you decide to visit today—which, technically, you can, though the state "closed" it in 2010 due to budget cuts—don't expect much. The park consists of two separate sections about four miles apart.
The French Hill Section
Located in southern Yorktown Heights, this 154-acre spot is the one people usually stumble upon. It’s mostly dense forest and some wetlands. Back in the day, there was a plan to turn part of this into a dog park, but that got scrapped when they found asbestos in the remains of the old buildings. Most of those buildings have since been bulldozed, leaving behind nothing but cracked concrete footprints and a lone, weed-choked tennis court.
The Indian Hill Section
This 282-acre stretch straddles the border of Westchester and Putnam counties. It used to be farmland. Today, it’s a mix of open fields and continuous forest. You might find some unmarked trails that look like they were carved out by dirt bikes or local hikers, but there’s no official map.
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It's actually quite beautiful if you like raw nature. People have spotted bald eagles here. It’s quiet—eerily quiet. But because the state only allocated about $2,500 a year for its maintenance (yes, you read that right), the grass is rarely mowed, and the "trails" are mostly just paths of least resistance through the brush.
The Never-Ending Battle Over the Name
You can’t talk about Donald J. Trump State Park without talking about the politics. Since 2015, there has been a literal parade of bills in the New York State Legislature trying to strip the name off the signs.
Lawmakers have suggested all sorts of replacements:
- Pete Seeger: The legendary folk singer and environmentalist.
- Sojourner Truth: The abolitionist and women's rights activist.
- Heather Heyer: The victim of the Charlottesville attack.
- George Pataki: The former NY Governor who actually grew up nearby.
So why hasn't it changed? It’s a legal mess. Trump’s team has historically threatened to sue the state, claiming the name was a condition of the "gift." However, some legal experts, like those interviewed by PolitiFact, note that the naming agreement was in a letter, not the actual property deed. That means the state might actually have the power to change it, but nobody has been willing to trigger the inevitable (and expensive) lawsuit.
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Is It Worth Visiting in 2026?
Look, if you want a place to have a family BBQ, go to FDR State Park down the road. It’s got everything. But if you’re the kind of person who likes "weird" New York history or you just want a place to walk your dog where you won't see another soul for three hours, Donald J. Trump State Park is actually kind of fascinating.
Just keep these tips in mind:
- Wear Boots: It’s muddy. Always.
- Download Maps: You will not find a kiosk with a "You Are Here" sticker. Use a GPS app like AllTrails or Hiiker.
- No Trash Cans: Whatever you bring in, you’re taking back out.
- Check for Ticks: This is prime Lyme disease territory. The tall grass is no joke.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're curious about exploring this forgotten piece of New York real estate, here is how to do it safely:
- Locate the French Hill Entrance: It's about half a mile southeast of the intersection of Baldwin Road and the Taconic State Parkway. Look for the gravel pull-off.
- Check the Weather: Don't go after a heavy rain unless you want to be knee-deep in a swamp. The drainage here is basically non-existent.
- Verify Access: While the state "closed" the park to save on maintenance, it remains public land. You aren't trespassing by walking the trails, but stay away from any fenced-off areas where old foundations might be unstable.
- Support Local Parks: If the lack of maintenance at this site bothers you, consider donating to the Friends of Westchester County Parks or similar groups that actually have the budget to keep trails clear.
The park remains a bizarre monument to a complicated land deal—a "passive" space that's doing a lot of work as a political lightning rod while doing very little as an actual park.