Congress created this park in 1897 for the ‘pleasure of the people.’ Trump wants to remake its golf course into an upscale venue for major tournaments

A pack of cyclists whisked by along 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.

The scene highlighted what residents say are the park’s best features: its accessibility and affordability right in the nation’s capital.

The historic park, especially the golf course, has caught the eye of President Donald Trump, who wants to turn it into a world-class golf venue. It’s part of his grand vision for Washington, D.C., where he has torn down storied structures, remade or renamed others and deployed the National Guard for more than a year.

But some residents fear the planned changes to the golf course — where Trump has visited with a cabinet member, a well-known golf course architect and blueprints — risk altering the character of a place that has served Washingtonians of many stripes for more than a century. Turning the park into an upscale golf course will mean costlier fees and a loss of public space, residents worry.

“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,” said Joe Foley, who said he was in his 70s and had just finished nine holes of golf for $36, including a cart.

A park created by Congress for ‘the people’

East Potomac Park, including the East Potomac Golf Links, was created by a congressional act in 1897, which established the park for the “recreation and the pleasure of the people.” The course opened in 1919.

Trump, who has multiple projects underway in........

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