Ever drive up the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester and see that massive green sign for Donald J. Trump State Park? You might have wondered if you should pull over. Honestly, if you're looking for a typical park with swings, paved paths, and clean bathrooms, keep driving.
This place is weird. It's basically 436 acres of "what if." What if a billionaire couldn't build a golf course? What if the state of New York accepted a massive land donation but then realized they couldn't afford to mow the grass?
The 100 Million Dollar Question
Back in 1998, Donald Trump bought this land for about $2.75 million. His plan was straightforward: build a world-class golf course. But local officials in Yorktown and Putnam Valley weren't having it. They raised environmental concerns, and the project got stuck in the mud. Literally.
So, in 2006, he did something unexpected. He gave it away. He donated the two parcels of land—French Hill and Indian Hill—to New York State.
At the time, he claimed the land was worth a staggering $100 million. Why does that matter? Well, a donation of that size can be a massive tax write-off. Critics have spent years arguing over whether that valuation was realistic or just "Trumpian" math. Either way, the state took the keys. Governor George Pataki stood there for the photo op, and the deal was sealed.
There was one big catch in the contract. His name had to be on it. Prominently.
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Visiting Donald J. Trump State Park Today
If you actually visit the park in 2026, don't expect a red carpet. Or a carpet. Or even a sidewalk.
The French Hill section in Yorktown Heights is about 154 acres of dense woods and wetlands. The parking lot is a gravel patch. There are no restrooms. No water fountains. No trash cans. It’s what New York calls a "passive park." That’s basically government-speak for "we aren't doing anything to it."
What You'll See (and What You Won't)
- Unmarked Trails: You've got to be okay with getting lost. Most of the paths were carved out by dirt bikes or local hikers, not park rangers.
- The Famous Signs: The signs on the Taconic Parkway are probably the most well-maintained part of the entire operation.
- Wildlife: Surprisingly, it's a great spot for bird watching. Since it's so neglected, nature has completely taken back over. People have spotted bald eagles here.
- Ticks: This is a big one. Bring the DEET. The tall grass is a paradise for them.
The Indian Hill section is even more rugged. It’s located about four miles away in Putnam Valley and stretches across 282 acres. It’s quiet. Eerily quiet. If you want to escape the noise of the city and don't mind climbing over a few fallen logs, it's actually kinda peaceful.
The Fight Over the Name
For years, New York lawmakers have been trying to scrub the Trump name from the park.
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal have pushed multiple bills to rename it. One popular suggestion was naming it after Heather Heyer, the woman killed during the 2017 Charlottesville protests. Another idea was to name it after Pete Seeger, the folk singer and environmentalist.
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But it’s a legal minefield. The donation agreement basically says if the name goes, the land might have to go back. Or there’s a lawsuit.
The state is in a tough spot. They don't want to spend money to improve a park named after a person many of the local residents dislike, but they also can't easily change the name without a fight. So, they just... stopped. In 2010, the park was "officially" closed due to budget cuts. Closing it saved the state a measly $2,500 a year.
That tells you everything you need to know. It costs more to keep the lights on in a single hallway of a Manhattan office than it does to maintain this entire 436-acre park.
Is It Worth a Stop?
It depends on what you’re into.
If you like urban exploration or "ruin porn," you might find the abandonment fascinating. It’s a monument to a deal that didn't quite work out for anyone. If you’re a serious hiker who hates crowds, you’ll love it because you will likely be the only person there.
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But for a family picnic? Forget it. There isn't a single table.
Honestly, most people just use it as a place to walk their dogs. Even that's a bit of a risk given the lack of maintenance and the occasional piece of rusted debris left over from the pre-donation days. Some old structures on the property were even found to have asbestos, which killed a plan to turn part of it into a dog park years ago.
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan
If you decide to brave Donald J. Trump State Park, go in prepared. This isn't Central Park.
- Download Offline Maps: Cell service is spotty and the trails aren't marked. Use AllTrails or a similar app and download the map before you arrive.
- Long Pants and Socks: The tick situation is real. Don't go in shorts unless you want to spend three hours with a pair of tweezers later.
- Pack In, Pack Out: There are no trash cans. If you bring a water bottle, you’re carrying it back to your car.
- Manage Expectations: View it as a nature preserve, not a park. It’s a piece of land that New York is basically holding onto because they don't know what else to do with it.
The future of the site remains a stalemate. As long as the naming rights are tied to the deed, the state seems content to let the forest grow over the name. It's a fascinating, muddy, overgrown piece of New York history that most people only ever see at 65 miles per hour from the window of their car.