Give Wollman Rink Back To Central Park, Borough Prez Says

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The city needs a new operator for Central Park's Wollman Rink after canceling former President Donald Trump's contracts, and one elected official argues there's no better candidate than the park itself.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday, asking that the city award the Central Park Conservancy the contract for Wollman, located near the park's southern end, and Lasker Rink, which is up near Harlem.

"The City now has an opportunity to consider a new model so that these important City assets are managed first and foremost for the benefit and enjoyment of New Yorkers, not for the profit of individuals or private business," Brewer wrote.

On Friday, the Parks Department sent out requests for proposals (RFPs) asking concessionaires to come forward if they are interested in running Wollman Rink and the Central Park Carousel near East 64th Street.

Both had been controlled by the Trump Organization until last month, when Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city would cancel Trump's contracts in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Now, the carousel, Wollman and Lasker rinks, and Ferry Point Golf Course in the Bronx are all in need of new management.

Trump took over Wollman in 1987, offering to reconstruct the decaying rink after the city had struggled to complete repairs for years, the New York Post reported. His contract, which also included Lasker Rink, remained in place for more than 30 years.

Brewer argued that the nonprofit Central Park Conservancy would manage the sites better than any private firm since it has a track record of raising millions in private donations, and would reinvest all revenues back into the park's upkeep.

"The City made the right decision in terminating the agreements with the Trump Organization, but it is critical for the residents of New York City that there is no disruption in the operations of the rinks and that the rinks are managed with a community-first ethos," Brewer wrote.

"With that in mind, we strongly urge the City to enter into an agreement with the Central Park Conservancy to operate the Wollman and Lasker facilities."

Considered two of Central Park's biggest attractions, Wollman Rink opened in 1950, while the carousel dates to 1908.

Whoever is selected will be asked to run each site for between one and five years, with an optional six-month extension for the rink, according to the city's RFPs.

The RFPs have a March 5 deadline, and the city is holding a remote meeting for proposers on Feb. 22. They can be downloaded at the Parks Department website.