National Park Service to Remove 529 Trees at East Potomac Golf Course

The National Park Service will begin removing up to 529 trees at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C., starting Saturday. Kevin Griess, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks, stated the operation targets trees that do not contribute to the historic landscape, beginning in an overgrown area known as Trash Island.

The tree removal occurs during a federal lawsuit filed by the D.C. Preservation League against a proposal by President Donald Trump to convert the public site into a championship-level course. While the administration describes the work as routine maintenance that would proceed regardless of the renovation plan, historic preservationists argue the scale of the clearing requires public input and reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act.

Judge Ana Reyes-Menendez previously ordered the administration to notify the court of any imminent destructive activities at the site. The current operation follows that judicial requirement as the legal battle over the course's future continues.