East Potomac Golf Course, a public golf course in Washington D.C., is managed by the nonprofit National Links Trust (NLT) under a lease agreement to provide affordable access to the community.

In May, the Trump administration and NLT reached an agreement to maintain operations and reasonable costs for three public golf courses in Washington D.C. This also paved the way for President Donald Trump to renovate the historic East Potomac Golf Course according to his vision.

On 9/10, the US National Park Service (NPS) informed the court that over 500 trees "not contributing to the historic landscape will be removed" as part of a project to transform the East Potomac Golf Links into a championship-standard course.

The agency affirmed it would not cut healthy trees that contribute to the course's historic character, including mature cherry trees.

The National Park Service began felling trees at East Potomac Golf Course on 10/10. Photo: AP

In phase 1 of the project, 169 trees began to be cut down on 10/10, with an additional 90 trees slated for removal later.

"The National Park Service is finally implementing a 7-year-old plan to address the overgrowth of trees at East Potomac Golf Course," the Department of the Interior stated on 10/10.

The Department of the Interior said the renovation includes selective tree felling and vegetation management to restore the golf course. It emphasized that this effort aims to "help restore the course's historic character and reopen views to famous landmarks, including the Washington Monument, National War College, Potomac River, and Washington Channel."

The agency indicated that the golf course will remain open to the public throughout the renovation, although some golf holes may temporarily close as work progresses.

Some residents worry the renovation plan risks disrupting the character of a place that has served Washingtonians from all walks of life for over a century. Transforming the park into a high-end golf course could lead to higher costs and the loss of public space.

The 106-year-old golf course has been the focus of a lawsuit since February. Plaintiffs, including the DC Preservation League, argue that the Trump administration's redevelopment violates the 1897 congressional act establishing the park. The group sought an emergency injunction to halt the work this spring.

Charles Birnbaum, president of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, a nonprofit that sued the Trump administration over the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, believes the tree felling at the golf course requires review under the National Historic Preservation Act.

"This is not routine maintenance, so for a listed site, they need to follow the Section 106 process," Birnbaum stated on 10/10, referring to the conservation law provision that requires federal agencies to consider a project's impact on historic and cultural heritage.

In late June, Trump, an avid golfer, wrote on social media that once completed, the course would be eligible to host major tournaments like the US Open, Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, and other top PGA Tour events.

It remains unclear when the golf course might host a major tournament, as host venues are typically selected many years prior to the event.

Hoang Lan (According to AP)