Central Park Conservancy bigwig blasted by Wollman Rink operator she bragged about dissing in op-ed
Share this @internewscast.com

This week, Central Park Conservancy’s CEO, Elizabeth “Betsy” Smith, found herself at odds with the operator of Wollman Rink after boasting to her board about an op-ed she penned. Her piece criticized both the city and the firm involved, seemingly overlooking that Related Companies, the firm in question, is represented on her board. This misstep did not sit well with the company.

In a letter exclusively acquired by The Post, Jeff Blau, CEO of Related Companies, expressed his discontent with Smith’s approach. “Making unfounded and inflammatory accusations about a member of your own Board—and then bragging about it here—is truly something to behold,” Blau wrote in his sharply worded response to Smith’s op-ed in the Daily News.

Smith’s article took aim at Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, objecting to the anticipated decision to award a 20-year management contract for the iconic Wollman Rink. The contract is expected to go to a joint venture between Related Companies, a prominent real estate developer, and City Pickle, a brand specializing in pickleball.


People ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park with New York City skyscrapers in the background.
Wollman Rink in Central Park has been operated by Related Companies since the Trump Organization was booted off the contract in 2021. Daniel William McKnight

In her op-ed, Smith criticized, “For decades, Wollman has been run by for-profit entities whose main goal is to extract profits. While the city receives modest fees, the corporate interests reap big profits and exploit huge branding opportunities.”

Smith further shared her sentiments in an email to the board obtained by The Post, writing, “I wanted to share, attached, an op-ed I wrote for today’s New York Daily News where we share our vision for a renovation of Wollman Rink and the surrounding area — and our disappointment with the current path the City has chosen.”

“I wanted to share, attached, an op-ed I wrote for today’s New York Daily News where we share our vision for a renovation of Wollman Rink and the surrounding area — and our disappointment with the current path the City has chosen,” she said in her email to the board, also obtained by The Post.

In response to Post inquiries about the tiff, a rep for the conservancy shared Smith’s response to Related’s Blau, in which she stands by the op-ed and the decision to publish it.

“We felt strongly that we needed to take our case directly to the public, and we stand by our decision,” she wrote in the reply, which reiterated her case that the Conservancy should’ve been taken up on its $120 million investment offer.

A NYC Parks hearing over the proposed license for the rink is scheduled for Thursday.

Wollman had been run by the Trump Organization until 2021, when then-Mayor Bill de Blasio kicked it off the contract.


Elizabeth "Betsy" Smith, President and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy.
Central Park CEO Elizabeth Smith The Central Park Conservancy

The Trump org unsuccessfully bid to take over the rink again this year, but lost to Related Companies and City Pickle’s joint venture, which operates as Wollman Park Partners II, LLC.

The Conservancy, which operates Central Park on behalf of the city, did not participate in the bidding process to manage the rink, but instead made a whole separate offer to invest $120 million in Wollman and the surrounding area of the park.

Related Companies’ did not return a request for comment late Wednesday.

Smith and other top officials at the Conservancy have faced criticism recently for taking home lavish salaries from the non-profit organization.

Smith makes a whopping $933,000 annual salary — with a dozen other officers raking in over $300,000.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Passenger allegedly assaults Alaska Airlines crew members, forces emergency landing at Boise Airport

Alaska Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Boise After Passenger Disrupts Crew

A woman from White Salmon, Washington, found herself in handcuffs following an…
'Dancing with the Stars' recap: 'Dedication Night' has nostalgia, emotion and a surprising end

‘Dancing with the Stars’ Recap: ‘Dedication Night’ Stirs Up Emotions with Nostalgia and an Unexpected Twist

LOS ANGELES — It was “Dedication Night” in the “Dancing with the…
Owen Shroyer Declares Debating the Left “Fruitless” as Right Must Evolve to Win

Why Debating the Left is a Losing Strategy: Owen Shroyer Urges the Right to Innovate for Victory

In a recent video, Owen Shroyer expressed his belief that engaging in…
Missouri man executed for killing state trooper 20 years ago

Missouri Executes Man for 2003 Murder of State Trooper

A death row inmate in Missouri was executed Tuesday night after the…
Man charged in 41-year-old cold case murder of 16-year-old Theresa Fusco in Lynbrook, Long Island

Charges Filed in 41-Year-Old Cold Case: 16-Year-Old Theresa Fusco’s Murder in Lynbrook, Long Island Reinvestigated

In Nassau County, New York, a decades-old murder mystery has finally been…
New surveillance video shows Pennsylvania governor's mansion arson attack

Surveillance Footage Released of Arson Attack at Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion

New surveillance video released Tuesday shows an arsonist setting fire to Pennsylvania…
Jaisol's Taco Tour 2025: Heir to carnitas throne, Marcos Carbajal, shares favorite authentic Little Village, Pilsen spots

Jaisol’s Taco Adventure 2025: Marcos Carbajal, Carnitas King Successor, Reveals Top Authentic Spots in Little Village and Pilsen

CHICAGO (WLS) — Back by popular demand, ABC7 meteorologist Jaisol Martinez hit…
Florida teen arrested weeks after he 'made up' that he was missing

Florida Teen Apprehended Weeks After Fabricating His Disappearance

Caden Speight, according to the police, is facing several charges including presenting…
US military to oversee next phase of peace deal from coordination base in Israel

US Military Takes Charge of Peace Deal Progress from New Coordination Hub in Israel

Following over two years of conflict, Israel and Hamas have agreed to…
JSO: Shooting on Caljon Road leaves teen dead

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Reports Fatal Teen Shooting on Caljon Road

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the two people were detained following the…
South Barrington, Illinois woman waiting on Cook County property tax refund 1 year after proving mistake by Cook County assessor

South Barrington, Illinois Woman Awaits Cook County Property Tax Refund One Year After Correcting Assessment Error

MILLIONS of dollars in Cook County property tax refunds are currently stalled…
College anti-Israel group calls for death to all Zionist 'collaborators' in Gaza

Controversy Erupts as College Group’s Anti-Israel Rhetoric Sparks Global Outrage

Students for Justice in Palestine, a group known for its anti-Israel stance…