Introduction to the Controversy
With the Trump Organization vying to run Wollman Rink in Central Park, 19 elected officials on Tuesday asked Mayor Eric Adams to halt the bidding process and reconsider a proposed $120 million gift by the park’s nonprofit conservancy to refurbish and run the facility that his administration shot down last fall.
The Proposal and Its Supporters
In a letter to the mayor, the officials — including members of Congress, state senators and Assembly members, Council members and the Manhattan borough president — asked Adams to revisit the offer by the Central Park Conservancy to fully fund a renovation, run the rink themselves and pay to fix up the surrounding southeast quadrant of the park. The elected officials seeking a do-over include Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Adriano Espaillat, State Sens. Liz Krueger, Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Jose Serrano, Assemblymembers Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Micah Lasher, Linda Rosenthal, Tony Simone and Jordan Wright, Councilmembers Gale Brewer, Diana Ayala, Shekar Krishnan, Julie Menin, Keith Powers and Yusef Salaam, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. The signers are all Democrats.
Background on the Issue
Brewer, who organized the participants to sign on to the request, told THE CITY she was “disappointed” when the Parks Commissioner didn’t budge from their commitment to the request for proposals during a recent council hearing. They do not mention the Trump Organization, the family business of President Donald Trump that operated the rink for years, but rather focus on the benefits they say the conservancy’s gift would bring. A rendering of the Davis Center in winter. Image courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy.
The City’s Response
A spokesperson for Adams, Liz Garcia, said in an emailed statement late Tuesday: “We will be awarding the Wollman Rink contract through a standard, competitive process that roots out corruption. We also made clear to CPC that they were welcome to apply, but they refused to participate.” The rink is currently operated by a joint venture with The Related Companies and brings in about $3 million in revenue to the city annually.
History of the Rink and Conservancy Offer
As THE CITY reported, conservancy leaders pitched the $120 million offer to staff of Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue last September. The group requested $30 million from the city to help generate donations. The conservancy sent a follow-up letter to Joshi and Donoghue Oct. 18. But the administration stopped responding about the historically large gift offer. President Donald Trump meets with his cabinet at the White House, March 6, 2025. Credit: Daniel Torok/White House
The Trump Organization’s Bid
The firm submitted a bid late last year, and Eric Trump, the company’s CEO, later told the New York Times, “Nearly 38 years ago my father saved Wollman Rink. We truly hope we can save it once again.” Levine as borough president and Krishnan as the chair of the Council’s parks committee publicly pushed back on the Trump family regaining control of the popular rink after former Mayor Bill de Blasio removed the Trump group in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol that followed a Trump rally.
Opposition to the Trump Bid
“Donald Trump is diametrically opposed to everything New York City Parks stand for and is waging a lawless assault on our city and our values,” Levine wrote in an op-ed. “I’ll do everything I can to keep his name, policies, and presence out of the city and off Wollman Rink.” Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine speaks on the Upper West Side about cracking down on unlicensed marijuana sellers, Feb. 7, 2023. Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the Wollman Rink and the Trump Organization’s bid to run it has sparked a heated debate among city officials and residents. The Central Park Conservancy’s offer to refurbish and run the facility has been met with resistance from the city, which has opted for a competitive bidding process instead. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen who will ultimately be awarded the contract and what implications this will have for the city and its residents.
FAQs
Q: What is the controversy surrounding the Wollman Rink?
A: The controversy surrounds the Trump Organization’s bid to run the Wollman Rink in Central Park, with 19 elected officials asking Mayor Eric Adams to halt the bidding process and reconsider a proposed $120 million gift by the park’s nonprofit conservancy.
Q: Who are the supporters of the conservancy’s proposal?
A: The supporters include Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Adriano Espaillat, State Sens. Liz Krueger, Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Jose Serrano, Assemblymembers Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Micah Lasher, Linda Rosenthal, Tony Simone and Jordan Wright, Councilmembers Gale Brewer, Diana Ayala, Shekar Krishnan, Julie Menin, Keith Powers and Yusef Salaam, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
Q: What is the city’s response to the conservancy’s proposal?
A: The city has opted for a competitive bidding process, with a spokesperson stating that they will award the contract through a standard process that roots out corruption.
Q: What are the implications of the Trump Organization’s bid?
A: The implications of the Trump Organization’s bid are still unclear, but it has sparked opposition from city officials and residents who are concerned about the company’s business integrity and potential conflicts of interest.
