More trees are up for the chopping block at East Potomac Park

This post was originally published on this site.

Recent tree cuttings along the Potomac River draws action and concern from locals

October 22, 2026 update: Over the past month, East Potomac Park in Washington DC has been controversial as President Trump has plans to renovate the island that is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) from a public 36-hole golf course, a fishing hotspot, and a destination for runners and bikers to an exclusive private 18-hole golf course that has no public access points.

This proposition has caused concern from local environmental groups, like Potomac Conservancy, and community members because this park is a treasured local recreation spot.

Team Potomac fully values improving public lands and parks, but it must be done to improve access, benefit the environment, and support the habitat for everyone! By turning the course private, they’ll remove all the public access from our regional community. East Potomac Park was built (Yes! It was dredged to create an island, it was not naturally there) in 1882. There are decades of history, memories and trees on that island.

This is a river and access issue

By privatizing the island, we’ll lose a beloved recreation spot, and our environment will suffer. Green spaces include TREES! At President Trump’s direction, hundreds of trees have chopped down from the course and shorelines of the river. Years of growth were removed at the drop of a hat. We cannot grow back healthy and mature trees as quickly as they removed them.

Trees are the first defense the river has against polluted runoff, which is the only growing type of pollution in the Potomac River. Plus, as a manmade island, trees often help stabilize the soil.

How the changes will affect the river

The changes being made, are moving in the exact opposite direction from what is needed to be done to improve the park. We need more shade, repaired paths, more recreation options, and restored seawalls.

With these changes we could see a better resource for the community to gather and enjoy. The proposed plans move further away from that idea and allow a smaller number of people to enjoy it.

Potomac Conservancy is no stranger to standing up for shoreline trees

In 2015, at Trump National Golf Course, Trump cut down 460 trees along the shores of the Potomac in Loudoun County, Virginia. He gained unobstructed views of the river but we lost hundreds of trees that protected our water quality and improved the land.

We fought back by mobilizing our movement and collecting 6,300 petition signatures that we delivered right to the golf course.

Is this the status quo?

Short answer: No.

Long answer: No. We spoke with Ed Sterli from National Parks Conservation Association and he shared that “any modification or construction on national park lands for a project like this would typically have several review processes, including an environmental assessment (NEPA), with public scoping and comments, Section 106 consultation, since the courses within DC are also on the National Register of Historic Places, and review by the National Capital Planning Commission and Commission on Fine Arts.”

Oct. 13, 2026 update: East Potomac Park, a tree-lined island in Washington, DC managed by the National Park Service, is facing several unwarranted attacks from the federal government. Earlier this year, toxic debris from the destruction of the White House’s East Wing landed on its shores. Now, reports have said there are plans for upwards of 500 trees to be removed along the shorelines of the Potomac River.

The first round of tree removals was in late August 2026. Then on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, as golfers walked the course, bikers rode by, and fishermen sat nearby, construction vehicles bulldozed trees down without sufficient notification.

Chopping down trees in a historic and beloved park in DC is harmful on many levels, including environmental degradation. The Potomac River is only as healthy as the surrounding land. Trees and forests play a critical role in keeping the Potomac’s waters safe by absorbing excess runoff.

As a nationally accredited land trust, Potomac Conservancy works throughout the entire Potomac River region to protect and defend trees. They’re the first line of defense against pollution and the impacts of the climate crisis. We can’t keep losing hundreds of trees and acres of forests anywhere in the watershed. Every single tree makes a difference as we work to improve the Potomac River’s grade from a B to an A.

Sadly, this isn’t the first time Trump has made reckless decisions to destroy trees in the name of better views for golfers. In 2015, at Trump National Golf Course, he cut 450 shoreline trees, threatening local water quality and wildlife habitat. Potomac Conservancy mobilized our movement and gathered almost 6,000 signatures on our petition urging Trump to donate 500 mature trees to NOVA Parks.

What has been the response?

After the second round of tree removal on Saturday, Oct. 10, US district judge Ana Reyes ordered a 24-hour stop to the tree removal.

Locals and golfers are speaking out against these tree removals. Over the past month there has been a number of protests demanding a stop to the chopping down of trees at Hains Point.

We’ll be monitoring the situation and keeping you in the know as the more information develops.

Sept. 1, 2026 update: Here we go again. If toxic East Wing debris wasn’t offense enough on this public land…New reporting confirms at least 60 trees have been removed without notice from East Potomac Park, a prominent public golf course managed by the National Park Service. And more could be on the chopping block.

The Potomac’s shoreline is NOT expendable. Trees on our riverfronts prevent erosion, absorb polluted runoff, and provide wildlife habitat. Their removal deserves far more scrutiny than a quiet tree clearing operation.

When federal leadership fails our river, local action matters! Potomac Conservancy is fighting to protect the forests and shorelines that keep the Potomac healthy, and we need people who love this river standing with us. Join us in defending clean water!