Trump's Golf Plan Would Keep East Potomac Park Closed for 15 Months
President Donald Trump has posted that renovations would keep all of East Potomac Park closed for 15 months, starting in November. The NPR report said the plan centers on turning the park's golf courses into a new course.
East Potomac Park is in Washington, D.C. Its southern tip is known as Hains Point. Congress created the park in 1897 to be held forever and used for the recreation and pleasure of the people.
On October 18, Trump announced that East Potomac Golf Links would close on November 15, according to a report published by Yahoo News. Reuters reported that Trump said work would begin on November 15 despite a judge's order and amid a court fight over the land. Reuters Trump later said work would begin in mid-November, then said it would begin immediately.
The proposal would combine the park's three historic golf courses into one 18-hole, championship-style course. Trump's October announcement described the renovated course as "open to the Public." The rendering he posted shows the course covering the entire East Potomac peninsula, including the current playground and picnic area on the southern tip. No road is visible around the perimeter in the image. The New York Times reported that the plan would eliminate a perimeter road.
The area is widely used for outdoor activity. Ohio Drive is a three-mile loop around the Hains Point perimeter, used for running and cycling. Hains Point is also part of the Marine Corps Marathon course. According to NPR, the park's three historic golf courses have been historically affordable.
Earlier in October, the government cut down hundreds of trees on East Potomac Golf Links. The government said the tree clearing followed recommendations from a 2019 landscaping report.
Judge Ana Reyes held a hearing in October to examine the tree clearing and decide whether to block further work on the golf course. In court, government lawyers said they were not aware of a final plan for the East Potomac renovations.
Local residents held a protest in early October against the potential redevelopment of East Potomac Park.
