National Park Service Fells Trees at East Potomac Despite Court Order
By Staff Writer
2 min read
The National Park Service felled at least 400 trees at East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C., over the weekend, despite a federal court order that had curtailed how much tree removal could take place at the site. The U.S. District Court in Washington has scheduled a hearing for Monday at 10 a.m. to address the matter.
Key takeaways
- The National Park Service removed at least 400 trees at East Potomac over the weekend in a hastily announced program.
- The move came despite a federal court order limiting tree removal at the course.
- A hearing before U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. in Washington.
- The dispute centers on competing visions for renovating the public course: a modern redesign backed by the Trump administration and architect Tom Fazio, versus a historic restoration pushed by the nonprofit National Links Trust.
- East Potomac's weekend green fee tops out at $48, with kids and military members playing for roughly half that.
What is the dispute over East Potomac about?
East Potomac sits on federal parkland along the Potomac River, with views of the Washington Monument. The National Park Service's acting director, Jessica Bowron, reports to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who reports to President Trump. The administration has pushed for a renovation that could make the course suitable for tournament play, and Fazio has been enlisted to design a modern overhaul.
That approach conflicts with years of work by the National Links Trust, a nonprofit that has spent nearly a decade developing plans and raising money to restore East Potomac closer to its original design, laid out more than a century ago by architect Walter Travis.
The fight over East Potomac pits a modern renovation against a century-old restoration, with a federal judge now deciding how many of the course's trees survive the argument.
What happens next?
Judge Reyes, who issued the order limiting tree removal, will hear arguments Monday on the extent of the weekend's cutting. East Potomac remains open for play in the meantime. Its layout has long been valued by Washington-area golfers for its affordability and accessibility.
Frequently asked questions
Where is East Potomac Golf Course?
East Potomac is a public course on federal parkland in Washington, D.C., along the Potomac River near the Washington Monument.
Who is overseeing the East Potomac tree-removal dispute?
U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes is overseeing the case in federal court in Washington, with a hearing scheduled for Monday.
What is the National Links Trust's plan for East Potomac?
The nonprofit has spent close to a decade developing plans to restore the course toward its original design by architect Walter Travis.
How much does it cost to play East Potomac?
The weekend green fee on the Blue course tops out at $48, with reduced rates for children and military members.
- East Potomac
- National Park Service
- Tom Fazio
- National Links Trust
- Walter Travis
- Washington DC golf
- Donald Trump
- golf course renovation
