A group of cyclists sped along the circuit at East Potomac Park, while the golf course parking lot was filled with a mix of luxury SUVs and older, more affordable cars, all with the Washington Monument looming in the background.

The scene underscored what residents describe as the park’s foremost assets: its accessibility and affordability, situated in the very heart of the nation’s capital.

The historic park, especially its golf course, has drawn President Donald Trump's attention, and he aims to make it a top-tier golf venue.

This is part of his broader plan for Washington, D.C., where he has demolished historic buildings, changed or renamed others, and kept the National Guard deployed for over a year.

However, some residents worry that the proposed changes to the golf course — where Trump has met with a cabinet member, a well-known golf course architect, and blueprints — could alter the character of a place that has served a diverse range of Washingtonians for over a century.

They fear that turning the park into an upscale golf course would lead to higher fees and less public space.

"It erases the history of the links here and also denies people an affordable, easily accessible place to play," said Joe Foley, who mentioned he was in his 70s and had just finished nine holes of golf for $36, including a cart.

Established by a congressional act in 1897 for the “recreation and the pleasure of the people,” East Potomac Park—including the East Potomac Golf Links—did not see its course open until 1919.

Trump, who has multiple projects underway in Washington, including a $400 million ballroom at the White House and the imminent start of construction on his triumphal arch, began discussing the city's public golf courses in late 2025.

Two months earlier, rubble from the demolished East Wing of the White House was dumped at East Potomac, creating a three-story mound near one of its three golf courses that still exists today.

The National Park Service has stated that the debris tested positive for lead, chromium, and other toxic metals.

Upon completion, this Course will be capable of hosting Major Golf Tournaments, including The U.S. Open, The Ryder Cup, The PGA Championship, and other top PGA Tour events," Trump posted on social media in June.

He then stated that work was scheduled to begin on Sept. 1, but no signs of activity were visible on the grounds this week.

An image unveiled in May by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum showcased an 18-hole course that, in his words, would provide “championship-quality golf at affordable, highly discounted rates.”

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A lawsuit contesting the golf course renovation argues that the Trump administration's redevelopment would violate the congressional act that established the park.

The government is challenging the plaintiffs' legal right to sue.

At the park, those who spoke to reporters noted that in some of Trump's other Washington projects, the administration has moved to implement irreversible changes and to act more swiftly than the courts can respond.

“The government is either operating under a different set of rules altogether, or it is simply disregarding them entirely,” remarked Jason Levitt, 54, concluding an hour of intense cycling at high speed.

At a court hearing on Thursday about the park, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes expressed a similar view, telling the government's lawyer she understood the plaintiff's caution about changes made before proper approval was given, though she added that she had not seen evidence of that in the golf course case.

The administration has already felled dozens of trees in the park, although it maintains that this constitutes routine maintenance work.

During a visit this week, the park attracted cyclists, retirees, employees on lunch breaks, and a few people who declined to speak to reporters because they were supposed to be at work while enjoying an afternoon of golf.

As ominous clouds gathered overhead and patrons hastened toward the clubhouse, the demographic composition was unmistakably evident: men, women, Black, Hispanic, and white golfers alike.

They cited the park's location, affordability, and historical significance as their reasons for visiting.

They recognized that the park and its golf courses, as they currently knew them, might be existing on borrowed time.

Foley, a retired lobbyist, noted that the region already boasts numerous “championship caliber courses” and expressed apprehension regarding the president’s proposals.

No one can predict his next move.

Are the immensely popular bike paths also under threat?

Consider the sheer volume of cyclists streaming through Potomac Park and the golf course area at midday on a Wednesday, he remarked.

Levitt, the cyclist, remarked that he has frequented the park for two decades, cycling approximately four times weekly.

A single-direction thoroughfare encircling the park's perimeter provides a secure route, sheltered from typical urban traffic, yet remains within the city's bounds.

This is regarded as a relatively secure location where one can retreat and largely avoid the flow of traffic and other disturbances.

Changes are on the horizon, he remarked.

“Let’s just hope the adjustments prove advantageous for all concerned, rather than catering exclusively to a particular category of golfer.”

Washington has long remained subject to the federal government's authority.

Congress exerts considerable influence over the city's governance, encompassing approval of its budget and all legislation enacted by the D.C. Council.

The Home Rule Act of 1973 enables residents to elect a mayor, a council, and neighborhood commissioners.

That autonomy has been further eroded under Trump, who initiated a law enforcement surge in the city last year that briefly placed the local police under federal command and extended the National Guard's deployment until 2029.

His impact on the city has gone beyond famous landmarks and tourist spots to include areas frequented by locals, such as East Potomac Park.

Outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser remarked this week that the city could “stand to attract world-class golf.”

However, following an event centered on leveraging athletics to attract tourists to the capital, she remarked to journalists, “we still need public access.”

Ryan Bates, 44, said he took up golf as an adult and has been frequenting the park on a weekly basis for three and a half years.

He noted that, although he holds a membership at a private club, he favors East Potomac for its convenient location.

"The core principle," he said, putting away his clubs after the round, "is that golf should be a game that is easy for people from all walks of life to take up."