Many Trails Park: Yonkers Renames Daylighting II to Honor Indigenous Heritage

The City of Yonkers has officially renamed Daylighting II at 2 Mill Street as Many Trails Park, a change meant to recognize the Indigenous communities who originally lived on the land that later became Yonkers.

The renaming was announced by Mayor Mike Spano alongside leaders from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, local officials, and artist Al Wadzinski, whose new metal sculpture titled Many Trails was installed at the site as part of the rededication.

The name pays tribute to the Lenape, Munsee, and Mohican peoples and their long-standing ties to the Hudson River Valley. City officials noted that the park’s new identity reflects the many journeys, histories, and cultures that have intersected on this land over centuries.

Mayor Spano said the decision acknowledges that Yonkers’ history stretches far beyond its modern founding. Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone added that the space is intended to serve as a reminder of the cultural and natural heritage embedded in the city.

During the ceremony, Stockbridge-Munsee President Shannon Holsey emphasized the importance of honoring Indigenous stories—particularly during Native American Heritage Month—and called for continued efforts to create inclusive public spaces.

Many Trails Park sits along the restored Saw Mill River and represents Yonkers’ broader effort to recognize and preserve the city’s diverse cultural roots. The city also plans to add a mural depicting Indigenous settlement at the same location.