Politics · United States · 1 day ago
Park Service plans to remove more than 500 trees from DC golf course
The National Park Service has begun removing trees from East Potomac Golf Links, a public golf course near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The agency says more than 500 trees will be removed as part of work to address overgrowth and restore the course’s historic character.
It said healthy trees that contribute to the course’s historic features, including historic cherry trees, will be kept.
President Donald Trump plans to renovate the course into a championship-level venue.
Some residents fear an upscale course could raise fees and reduce public space, while a lawsuit argues the reconstruction would violate the law that created the park.
The course is expected to stay open during the work, though some holes may close temporarily.
The Park Service says the work will also reopen views of nearby landmarks.
The National Park Service is removing more than 500 trees from East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C.
The work is part of a rehabilitation project as the Trump administration plans to renovate the public course into a championship-level venue.
The agency said healthy trees that contribute to the course’s historic landscape, including historic cherry trees, will not be removed.
The golf course will remain open during the work, though individual holes may temporarily close.
Residents and preservation groups have raised concerns about changes to the course’s character, public access and legal protections.
- Who
- The National Park Service is carrying out the tree removals.
- What
- More than 500 trees are planned for removal as part of a golf course rehabilitation project.
- When
- Work began on Oct. 10, 2026, according to the articles.
- Where
- East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., near the National Mall.
- Why
- The agency says the work will address tree overgrowth, restore the course’s historic character and reopen views toward landmarks.
National Park Service and Interior Department
Residents and preservation groups
Purpose of tree work
National Park Service and Interior Department
The agencies say selective tree and vegetation work will address overgrowth and restore the course’s historic character.
Residents and preservation groups
Some residents fear the changes will alter the character of a place used by Washingtonians of all income levels.
Course plans
National Park Service and Interior Department
The Trump administration plans to renovate the course into a championship-level venue.
Residents and preservation groups
Plaintiffs, including the DC Preservation League, say the reconstruction would violate the congressional act that created the park.
Public access
National Park Service and Interior Department
The agency says the course will stay open during renovation, although individual holes may temporarily close.
Residents and preservation groups
Residents fear an upscale course could mean higher fees and a loss of public space.
No healthy trees that are contributing features of the historical golf course
The National Park Service is finally implementing a 7-year-old plan to address tree overgrowth at East Potomac Golf Course
When completed, this Course will have the ability to host Major Golf Tournaments, including The U.S. Open, The Ryder Cup, The PGA Championship, and other top PGA Tour events
A lawsuit over the golf course was filed.
Trump wrote on social media that the completed course could host major golf tournaments.
National Mall and Memorial Parks superintendent Kevin Griess described the planned tree removal in a court filing.
The National Park Service began a new round of tree-cutting, according to the articles.
- Planned removals
- More than 500 trees
- Initial removal
- 169 trees starting Saturday
- Further removal
- Another 90 trees slated for later
- Course age
- 106 years
- Court filing
- Oct. 9, 2026
- Historic protections
- The park was created by a congressional act in 1897
Sources
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