Local opposition grows as President Trump proposes redesign of East Potomac Park

President Trump announced on Truth Social that a redesign of East Potomac Golf Links would close the park for 15 months starting in November, with a rendering showing an 18-hole course covering the entire peninsula, including the current playground and picnic area. The proposal would eliminate Ohio Drive, the three-mile waterfront loop used by cyclists, runners and race organizers.

"It's such an important part of the fabric of this region, even though it's not very well known [beyond it]," said Elizabeth Kiker, executive director of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association.

Local users describe Hains Point as a rare, traffic-free public space created by Congress in 1897 for recreation. Residents fear the redesign would remove the road, trees and open areas that support daily exercise, birdwatching and major events such as the Marine Corps Marathon and the Cherry Blossom 10-mile run.

"Running is so tied to my mental health," said Ashley Hawkins, a daily runner at Hains Point. "It feels like the most egregious because he's taking away public space and trying to make it private."

The Department of the Interior has not responded to inquiries about the fate of existing amenities, and government lawyers told a court on Monday they were unaware of a final plan. Earlier this month, 430 trees were cut from the course, prompting Judge Ana Reyes to hold a hearing on whether to block further work.

A coalition of local groups, including Hains Point Runners, the D.C. Bird Alliance and the D.C. Preservation League, has filed a 35-page brief arguing that federal law requires the National Park Service to consider longstanding recreational uses before proceeding. Race director Rob Wolfe warned that organizers are seeking backup routes for next year’s events.

"If this roadway goes away, hundreds, thousands of people on a daily basis would lose out," Wolfe said.

Critics also note that the redesign would merge three historic, affordable courses into a single "championship-style" layout, raising questions about public access. Trump has described the current course as "dilapidated" and called part of it "Trash Island," while pledging the new course would remain open to the public and host major tournaments.

Grassroots activism has intensified, with residents creating "Hands off Hains" T-shirts, organizing daily bird-watch walks, and holding bike-ride rallies such as the "Hains Point Hoopla." Legal action by the D.C. Preservation League and local golfers seeks to stop what they call an unlawful takeover of a public resource.

"It goes to this overall theme of potentially taking away from the local communities," said runner and physical therapist Luke Cancilla.

As the court case proceeds, users like Hawkins say they will continue to use the park until formally barred, underscoring the community’s determination to preserve the space.