.8% is a bit misleading. Public Land is 37% (as of 1991) [1] of the state. The ADK park is state owned/managed and huge. Catskill region also has lots of public land. They're both amazing places I'm happy don't look like the US side of Niagara falls [2]

[1]: https://www.summitpost.org/public-and-private-land-percentag... [2] https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/runte1/prologue...

New Amsterdam was founded on 1624, ~150 years before the federal government. You're comparing apples and oranges.

You have stated that twice now, but not explained why you think so.

Why?