When Esther Harper visits the East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., it’s normally a moment in time to relax and unwind.
“I’m a native Washingtonian, and I’ve been here for 70 years,” she said. “This is home to me.”
Recently, however, that feeling has vanished, as concerns grow over President Trump’s new interest in the area.
Located on a strip of land between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel, East Potomac Golf Links, or Hains Point, is one of the oldest golf courses in D.C. Since late June it’s been the center of debate, protest and even a lawsuit, since President Trump announced his plans to redesign the course.
“If he just wanted to renovate, I’d understand,” Harper said. “But I’ve seen his golf courses, it’s all about the money for him, and it takes the fun out of everything.”
On June 28 the president toured the course with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and prominent golf course architect Tom Fazio. In a social media post, he called the course “virtually unplayable,” and talked about his plans to renovate the area.
“On this fantastic site, with water and unparalleled views of D.C.’s Monuments, we will build one of the Greatest Golf Courses anywhere in the World which, importantly, will also be made available to the Public,” he said on X.
Many regular parkgoers, who enjoy the area for its affordability and accessibility, are skeptical.
“Our biggest concern is that there’s been no information,” said Len Wolfson, a frequent cyclist at Hains Point. “There’s been no answers from the administration. No plans have been put forward, and there’s been no public process that has taken into consideration the views of locals.”
This concern prompted the D.C. Preservation League – alongside local golfers – to file a lawsuit against the administration, claiming that the redesign violates a law protecting the park for public recreation.
“It needs a little upkeep, everything in D.C. does,” said Harper. “He just uses that as an excuse to take everything over.”
The administration stated the plan was to begin work on Sept. 1, but so far no progress has been made.
