Residents fear costlier fees, loss of public space at century-plus-old course
On the day of the AP’s visit, a pack of cyclists rode the circuit at East Potomac Park while the golf course parking lot filled with luxury SUVs parked next to older, inexpensive economy cars, all with the Washington Monument in the background. Residents said the scene illustrated what they called the park’s best features: its accessibility and affordability in the nation’s capital.
The historic park, especially its golf course, has caught Trump’s eye, the AP reported. Trump has visited the course with a cabinet member and a well-known golf course architect, and is working from blueprints. The project is part of Trump’s vision for Washington — a citywide effort that has included tearing down storied structures, remaking or renaming others, and deploying the National Guard for more than a year.
Some residents told the AP they fear the planned changes will alter the character of a place that has served Washingtonians of many stripes for more than a century. Converting the park into an upscale golf course will mean costlier fees and a loss of public space, they said.
Joe Foley, who said he was in his 70s, told the AP he had just finished nine holes of golf for $36, including a cart. “It takes away the history of the links here as well as deprives people of having a reasonably inexpensive place to play that is readily accessible to everyone,” Foley said.