Legislature Passes Rockefeller State Park Funding Bill

Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh/Mt. Pleasant) today announced passage of his legislation intended to ensure proper funding of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Mount Pleasant, Westchester County. The Rockefeller family created the Preserve through gifts of land and also established a permanent monetary endowment to maintain the Preserve.

Abinanti’s bill (A.5140/S.3452) authorizes the transfer of the endowment from the State Comptroller’s office to the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). At the NHT, the funds will be consolidated with additional funds recently donated by the Rockefellers and will be available for increased investment opportunities.

“This legislation ensures that a generous donation remains a lasting investment,” said Abinanti. “Transferring the endowment to the NHT will generate additional income to provide much needed revenue for the upkeep of the Preserve.”

The bill, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Terrence Murphy (R-Yorktown), is supported by the Alliance for New York State Parks and the Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve. It will now be sent to the Governor for approval.

“Not only is it important to save land, it’s also important to properly maintain the land so it can be enjoyed by everyone,” said the Westchester Assemblyman.