President Donald Trump wants to transform a historic public golf course in Washington, D.C., into a championship venue capable of hosting major tournaments. But plans seen during a recent tour of the site show a new design that could come at the expense of historic cherry trees, a popular riverside bike trail, mini golf and other public recreation at Haynes Point.
Trump visited the federally owned East Potomac Golf Links on June 28 with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House aides and golf course architects Tom and Gavin Fazio. He later said that renovations would begin on September 1 and that the course could eventually host the US Open, Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and other major golf events.
The tournament pitch is only part of the story. The bigger issue is what the redesign might remove from Haynes Point.
What do the plans show?
photos Trump’s visit revealed a much larger change than had been publicly released by federal officials. Sketches show the redesigned golf course spanning almost the entire eastern Potomac Peninsula and leaving in place many existing public amenities, including a riverside bike trail, miniature golf course and historic grove of cherry trees.
If built as shown, the redesign would reduce East Potomac from its current three-course, 36-hole layout to a single 18-hole championship course. It would expand the golf course into approximately 50 acres of parkland that is now used for picnicking, fishing, bicycling and other recreation.
How much does this cost?
The administration has not released any firm public price tag for the East Potomac redesign. A may agreement The renovations were said to be supported by private contributions, and court filings indicated that Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum intended to raise up to $150 million in charitable contributions for D.C.’s public golf courses.
This still leaves unanswered questions. Trump has said that the project will be built through the Department of the Interior, and Court filings indicate The National Park Service can manage and implement East Potomac renewal under its authority. Available records do not clearly state how much public money, staff time, maintenance funds, environmental review, or park infrastructure spending will be associated with the project.
A public golf course with a public history
East Potomac is a public golf complex on federal lands administered by the National Park Service. DC’s public golf courses were built in the early 20th century For those who cannot afford private clubs. Walter J. Crews built the first 18 holes at East Potomac from 1918 to 1923 from Travis’s design. The course also played a role in efforts to desegregate the city’s public golf courses in 1941.
East Potomac Park Mini Golf Course was built in 1931 and is one of the oldest continuously operating miniature golf courses in the United States.
Cherry trees have their own history
Cherry trees in the East Potomac are part of DC’s cherry blossom history. A gift of cherry trees from Japan in 1912 Led tree planting around the Tidal Basin and East Potomac Park. From 1913 to 1920, workers planted Yoshino trees around the Tidal Basin and planted the remaining Yoshino and 11 other varieties in East Potomac Park.
A lawsuit is already underway
The project is already in federal court. DC Conservation League and two local residents filed a lawsuit against In February the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and NPS official Jessica Bowron argued that the East Potomac plan violates federal environmental and historic preservation laws as well as the 1897 act that established East Potomac Park for “the recreation and enjoyment of the people.”
The lawsuit also points to material dumped into the East Potomac from the White House East Wing project. One NPS-Commission Interim Report Said project produced more than 30,000 cubic yards of excavated soil, which was transported to the golf course and stored on 2.25 acres. The plaintiffs argued in a subsequent court filing that government soil testing raised concerns about contamination, including lead, mercury, arsenic and carcinogens.
In May, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes warned the administration Do not start any major work without court approval and advance notice. He refused to stop basic maintenance, but warned of “serious consequences” if major construction began without proper notice.
what happens next
National Links Trust says It will continue to operate the East Potomac Golf Links until the National Park Service is ready to begin what federal officials have called historic restoration. The nonprofit also said the NPS is committed to following the established compliance process for any large-scale work in East Potomac.
The East Potomac is federal public land with historic, recreational, and environmental value. It is also a rare urban public space where golfers, cyclists, fishermen, families, tourists and cherry blossom watchers all use the same narrow peninsula.
A championship golf redesign that cuts trails, mini golf, cherry trees, shoreline access and public park space is a public lands decision, not routine maintenance. And the public deserves to know what harm it will face before construction begins.
