Over 500 Trees at Historic Golf Course Face Removal Amid Redesign

WHO:

ABC News - The National Park Service is involved in the tree removal and renovation project.

ABC News - President Trump is associated with the plan to redesign the East Potomac Golf Links.

WHAT:

ABC News - The National Park Service stated that “No healthy trees that are contributing features of the historical golf course” will be removed as part of the project.

ABC News - Trump has stated on social media, “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.”

CNN - The National Park Service plans to begin removing 169 trees on a Saturday, with another 90 trees slated for removal later.

CNN - The National Park Service plans to remove as many as 529 trees at the East Potomac Golf Course, according to court documents.

CNN - The superintendent of NPS, Kevin Griess, stated that the tree management project is not part of any potential renovation or redesign of the golf course.

CNN - Approximately 150 trees have already been cut down prior to the current removals.

CNN - The estimated cost for the preliminary scope of the renovation project is between $20 and $49 million.

ABC News - More than 500 trees that do not contribute to the historic landscape will be removed as part of the rehabilitation project.

ABC News - A total of 169 trees will be removed starting Saturday, with another 90 trees slated for removal later.

ABC News - The golf course will remain open to the public throughout the renovation effort, although individual holes may temporarily close.

WHERE:

ABC News - The East Potomac Golf Links is located near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

CNN - The National Park Service is set to start soliciting bids to remake the public golf course in January 2027.

ABC News - The tree removals will begin on a Saturday, with additional removals planned for later.

WHY:

ABC News - Some residents fear that the planned changes to the golf course will mean costlier fees and a likely loss of public space.

ABC News - The renovation aims to restore the course’s historic character and reopen views toward landmarks, including the Washington Monument and Potomac River.

ABC News - The National Park Service is implementing a 7-year-old plan to address tree overgrowth at East Potomac Golf Course.

HOW:

CNN - The superintendent of NPS, Kevin Griess, stated that the removal is not part of the administration’s proposed renovation, though plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit contend that the administration is pursuing separate maintenance projects as part of its larger plan.

CNN - The National Park Service described the tree management and cultural landscape rehabilitation project as not part of any potential renovation or redesign of the golf course.

ABC News - The renovation work will include selective tree and vegetation work as part of the project.

(UPDATED October 11, 2026 09:58 UTC)

The National Park Service is preparing to solicit bids for a major renovation of the public golf course, with plans set to begin in January 2027. Some local residents are concerned that these changes could lead to higher fees and a potential loss of public space. Meanwhile, Kevin Griess, the superintendent of the NPS, clarified that the removal of certain features is not included in the administration's proposed renovation, although plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit argue that separate maintenance projects are part of a broader strategy.

(UPDATED October 11, 2026 07:09 UTC)

The National Park Service has announced plans to remove 169 trees from a historic golf course, with an additional 90 trees set for removal later, but they assure that no healthy trees contributing to the course's features will be taken down. President Trump expressed his vision for the course, stating on social media that it will eventually host major golf tournaments like The U.S. Open and The Ryder Cup. Meanwhile, some residents are concerned that these changes could lead to higher fees and a reduction in public space.

(UPDATED October 10, 2026 20:58 UTC)

The National Park Service plans to remove as many as 529 trees at the East Potomac Golf Course, with approximately 150 trees already cut down prior to this project. Superintendent Kevin Griess clarified that this tree management initiative is separate from any potential renovation or redesign of the golf course, which is estimated to cost between $20 and $49 million. Bids for the golf course's remake are expected to be solicited starting in January 2027.

(UPDATED October 10, 2026 19:57 UTC)

The National Park Service is set to begin a major renovation project at the East Potomac Golf Links, which is closely associated with President Trump. Starting on a Saturday, the plan includes the removal of over 500 trees that do not contribute to the historic landscape, with 169 trees scheduled for removal initially and another 90 to follow later. Throughout the renovation, the golf course will remain open to the public, although some individual holes may temporarily close as the project aims to restore the course’s historic character and enhance views of nearby landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Potomac River.