Introduction to the Trump Organization’s Bid for Wollman Rink
The Trump Organization is aggressively lobbying the office of Mayor Eric Adams to win its bid to run Central Park’s Wollman Rink, two sources familiar with the matter confirmed to THE CITY — squeezing Adams to award a contract even as President Donald Trump’s Justice Department moves to dismiss the mayor’s corruption case. The city put out a solicitation for bids just days after Trump won reelection in November. The opening for Trump to run the coveted rink also came just weeks after the nonprofit Central Park Conservancy had offered to give the city $120 million to replace the rink and fix up part of the park.
Background on the Wollman Rink and Trump Organization Involvement
Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue didn’t take the gift offer — and didn’t respond to the conservancy’s followup. After ghosting the conservancy, the Department of Parks and Recreation put up a public notice the morning of Nov. 13 seeking bids to operate the rink. Within hours, a Trump Organization executive was quoted as stating the company intended to pursue the contract — suggesting advance knowledge of the bid opportunity. If City Hall awards the Wollman Rink concession to the Trump Organization, the president’s family business, it would link the popular tourist destination at the foot of the iconic park to the Trump name once again.
Trump’s History with Wollman Rink
Trump has used Wollman Rink for years to burnish his claim that he is a brilliant businessman. During the 1980s, the Koch administration had tried for years to refurbish the broken-down rink. After six years and $20 million in government spending, the project had collapsed. Enter rising star developer Donald Trump, who promised to get the job done in six months for $3 million. He did it in four months for $2 million. His company ran the rink for decades but was kicked out by Mayor de Blasio following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot by Trump supporters at the Capitol.
Wollman Rink ice skaters enjoy a temperate late-winter day, March 14, 2025. Credit: Alex Krales/THE CITY
Mutual Interests Between Trump and Adams
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and Councilmember Shekar Krishnan (D-Queens) recently wrote to Adams, expressing “deep concern” about the possibility of the city bringing the Trump Organization back to manage Wollman, and questioning why his administration shrugged off “an extremely exciting and compelling proposal from the Central Park Conservancy.” Adams’ relationship with Trump has been the focus of increasing public scrutiny since December when President-elect Trump said he was considering granting a pardon to Adams, accusing the Biden Justice Department of treating the mayor “pretty unfairly.” That was followed by Adams meeting with Trump near his Mar-a-Lago estate on Jan. 17, a visit the mayor insists did not include discussion of his pending case.
Spurned Gift from Central Park Conservancy
After former Mayor Bill de Blasio terminated the Trump Organization’s Wollman Rink contract in 2021, Parks solicited bids and turned the concession over to a joint venture that included The Related Companies, one of New York’s biggest real estate developers. That agreement is set to expire in June 2026, and last year City Hall and the Parks Department began working on how to proceed going forward. A key player involved in these talks was the Central Park Conservancy, a well-heeled nonprofit that has steered millions of dollars in philanthropic funding to enhance the park.
The Conservancy’s Proposal and City Response
Last summer and fall, the conservancy’s lobbyists targeted Joshi and Donoghue to discuss the “future of Wollman rink,” city lobbying records reveal. On Sept. 18, the conservancy met with staff of Joshi and Donoghue at City Hall, pitching the idea of providing the city with a $120 million gift that would pay to replace the rink and address chronic stormwater flooding and accessibility issues in the southeast corner of the park, a source familiar with the meeting told THE CITY. At the meeting, the city staff immediately pushed back on the proposal, demanding to know how much it would cost city taxpayers, the source said.
Conclusion
The Trump Organization’s bid for the Wollman Rink contract has raised concerns among city officials and residents, given the company’s history with the rink and its potential implications for the city’s relationship with the Trump administration. The city’s decision to spurn the Central Park Conservancy’s gift offer and instead pursue a bid process has also been questioned. As the city reviews proposals for the Wollman Rink contract, it remains to be seen whether the Trump Organization will be awarded the concession and what implications this may have for the city and its residents.
FAQs
Q: What is the Trump Organization’s history with Wollman Rink?
A: The Trump Organization has a long history with Wollman Rink, having run the rink for decades before being kicked out by Mayor de Blasio in 2021.
Q: What is the Central Park Conservancy’s proposal for Wollman Rink?
A: The Central Park Conservancy offered to give the city $120 million to replace the rink and fix up part of the park, but the city spurned the offer and instead pursued a bid process.
Q: What are the implications of the Trump Organization being awarded the Wollman Rink contract?
A: The implications of the Trump Organization being awarded the Wollman Rink contract are unclear, but it could potentially link the popular tourist destination to the Trump name once again and raise concerns about the city’s relationship with the Trump administration.
Q: What is the current status of the bid process for the Wollman Rink contract?
A: The city is currently reviewing proposals for the Wollman Rink contract, but it is unclear when a winner will be announced.
