Trump Organization loses bid for Central Park’s Wollman Rink
The Trump Organization’s bid to reclaim control of Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink has failed. As first reported by The City, the Department of Parks and Recreation submitted a limited liability corporation that Related created to submit a proposal for the rink to the Department of Investigation for a background check. The president’s company operated the rink for many years before former Mayor Bill de Blasio canceled the contract in 2021 following the January 6 riot at the Capitol. According to The City, the proposed agreement will still need to go through a review committee.
Trump first moved to reclaim the property last winter, when his company submitted a bid for the concession and promoted the rink’s revival on its website. The president has long highlighted his role in refurbishing and reopening the rink in 1986. His company went on to operate it for more than three decades.
After the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, New York City moved to cut ties with the Trump Organization and cancel three of its contracts, including Wollman Rink. The company’s contract expired later that year, and a group of investors that included Related Companies took over operations.
The current contract expires next October, and the city last year began soliciting bids for a new 20-year concession to operate the rink.
Ahead of the Sophia Askari, a spokesperson for the Adams administration, told the Times the concession award for Wollman Rink has not yet been finalized.
“While we are continuing to work through this process for Wollman Rink, as we do with all of our concession contracts, the Adams administration has been clear that we will always prioritize the needs of New Yorkers and make the best use of taxpayers dollars,” Askari said. “That is the case with the Wollman Rink award. We will share our selection officially once it has been finalized.”
There had been speculation that Adams might support Trump’s effort to retake the rink after the Justice Department dropped federal corruption charges against the mayor following months of outreach to the president.
Similarly, Adams’ decision to veto the City Council’s rejection of a key rezoning for Bally’s Bronx casino bid has drawn scrutiny, as the Trump Organization stands to receive a $115 million payout if the project moves forward.
The bid must still be approved by the Franchise Concession & Review Commission, which could take until the end of the year.
Editor’s note: The original version of this article was published on September 11, 2025, but has since been updated with new information.
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