Saws hit the bark on October 10. The National Park Service is currently removing 169 trees from the East Potomac Golf Links, a project they describe as overdue maintenance. But the timing is suspicious. This work kicks off just as the Trump administration pushes to transform the century-old public course into a high-end championship destination.
The agency defends the clearing, claiming the selected trees do not contribute to the property’s historic landscape and that the work won’t alter the course’s layout, greens, or bunkers. NPS officials insist they are preserving healthy, historic features like significant cherry trees. They frame this as independent of the larger redesign, a move that leaves the course’s ultimate fate in legal limbo.
Two golfers and the D.C. Preservation League are fighting back in federal court. They argue the administration must complete environmental reviews and public consultations before any major changes occur. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes previously refused to halt earlier removals, allowing the government to proceed with routine maintenance while the case unfolds. However, the court now demands advance notice for any significant activity, such as removing more than 10 trees or deploying large equipment.
The stakes extend beyond golfers. East Potomac Park serves cyclists, runners, and families who rely on the Ohio Drive loop around Hains Point. Advocates have gathered thousands of petition signatures and organized protests, fearing a championship-oriented overhaul will erase the public character of the space. The administration has yet to release a final design, budget, or construction timeline.
For now, the course remains open, and the saws keep running. The legal battle will continue in federal court, where the core dispute is whether this is simple upkeep or the first step in a controversial privatization of a public asset.