The Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Westchester County will receive $4 million in one of the largest private donations to the state park system, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced on Thursday.
David Rockefeller made the donation to establish an operating endowment for his family”™s namesake park, which was created in 1983 and spans 1,400 acres. Rockefeller plans to donate 500 additional acres to the park in the future, according to the announcement.
The Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Mount Pleasant is home to a significant portion of the Rockefeller family”™s Pocantico Hills estate and features a system of carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. during the early 20th century.
The money will be used to support environmental programming, capital improvement projects and stewardship initiatives.
“My family has been deeply engaged in the creation of parks throughout this country for more than a century,” Rockefeller said in a statement. “It is my hope that this contribution will make Rockefeller State Park Preserve more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
The state’s Natural Heritage Trust will administer the funds.
