Trump Links 2017 (Google Maps)

Ferry Point Park in the South Bronx, Google satellite view. The original Ferry Point park is outlined in two colors. When the park opened in 1941 it was one big, spectacular park, but since 2015 the larger western section is a “world class” Trump golf course, outlined in blue[4,5,6]. Construction began in the 2000s during the Bloomberg administration. Thankfully, all Trump signage was removed in 2024; it's now called Bally Links[8].

The land (approximately 100 acres) was acquired by the city in 1937 to serve as the Bronx end of the Whitestone Bridge[1], itself a New Deal project. The 1941 Parks Department press release[2] announcing the opening of the park credits the WPA some role in the construction (there is probably much more to the story but this will serve for now to verify the New Deal connection):

Construction work in connection with the development of Ferry Point Park, located on the 171 acre East River Bronx Shore promontory which supports the north anchorage of the Whitestone Bridge has been completed ... since the opening of the bridge. A permanent feature of this new park is an overlook 35' above the water. A combination comfort station and storage building at the rear of the overlook is bounded on three sides with a brick-paved portico. The south side facing the river is joined to the overlook by a brick surfaced terrace. Although the main interest of the park is passive recreation, two baseball diamonds have been1 provided, but will not be available for use this summer because the areas have been newly seeded ... The former meadow areas were brought to grade by hydraulic fill supplied under contract. The remainder of the development was constructed by the Work Projects Administration from plans prepared under the supervision and approval of the Department of Parks.

References:

1. Ferry Point Park - History, NY City Parks Department website (accessed 27 June 2016).
2. NYC Parks Department Press Release, August 11, 1941.
3. “City Recreation Center Nearing Completion”, New York Times, August 11, 1941.
4. González, Juan, “Donald Trump's new golf course at Ferry Point Park in Bronx has become $230 million sand trap for taxpayers, but a big bonanza for real estate mogul, New York Daily News, April 3, 2015.
5. Bellafante, Ginia, “Trump's Golf Course, a Lesson in Inequality”, New York Times, July 2, 2015.
6. Harwell, Drew, "Taxpayers built this New York golf course. Trump reaps the rewards", Washington Post, 25 August 2016.
7. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria: "The Trump golf organization currently has a golf course in my home borough of the Bronx, Trump Links. I drive past it every day going between the Bronx and Queens. In fact, Washington Post reported on the Trump Links Bronx course in an article entitled 'Taxpayers Built this Golf Course and Trump Reaps the Rewards' ... Taxpayers spent 127 million dollars to build Trump Links in a ... generous deal allowing President Trump to keep almost every dollar that flows in on [this] golf course built with public funds." — House Oversight Committee hearings, February 27, 2019.
8. "In the Bronx, Trump's Name Is Replaced at a Golf Course", Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 11 January 2024.

The New Deal in NYC 1932-1943 | Frank da Cruz | fdc@columbia.edu