Washington's East Potomac Park: 55-page plan reveals $304.5M seawall, other 18 holes may go

A 55-page concept proposal submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) on Friday lays out the federal plan for East Potomac Park in formal detail for the first time: a $304.5 million seawall taking 2.5 to 3.5 years, followed by a world-class, affordable championship golf course open to the public — while the property's other 18 holes and its historic miniature golf course may be eliminated. The park's south end is still set to close on November 15, with the commission scheduled to consider the plan on December 3. (Cover photo is a file photo of the East Potomac Park area.)

Benchmarked against three famous courses; seawall first

The proposal states its goal as turning a dilapidated, unsafe course into a safe, world-class, affordable championship golf course, open to the public and on par with Torrey Pines, Bethpage Black and Houston's Memorial Park. The first step is a reinforced seawall costing $304.5 million and taking between 2.5 and 3.5 years; one slide describes the existing course as at the end of its service life. The plan calls for eliminating the other 18 holes on the property — a par-3 course and an executive course — and potentially the historic miniature golf course, while new biking, walking and fishing opportunities would be accommodated nearby, such as at West Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin.

November 15 closure stands; litigation and injunction continue

The document was filed as an exhibit in the litigation between the Department of the Interior and the D.C. Preservation League. A Justice Department court filing on October 28 had already confirmed that the National Park Service will close East Potomac Park south of Buckeye Drive, including the golf course, on November 15, with a design by golf architect Tom Fazio to be considered by the commission at its December 3 meeting; operator National Links Trust will stop running East Potomac on or before November 15 but keep operating two other public courses. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes issued a preliminary injunction on October 26 barring further tree removal and requiring 10 days' written notice before any irreparable modification. Critics argue the seawall investment would make more fiscal sense if the park stayed open to all users rather than serving only those who would play the planned 18-hole course; the Washington Area Bicyclist Association is hosting a congressional lobby day on November 12 to oppose further funding, and hundreds of people protested at Hains Point on Saturday.