Dozens of bicyclists and community members converged on Hains Point Saturday to oppose federal plans to alter the East Potomac Park golf course, voicing concerns about lost public space, limited access for non-golf users and the preservation of a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Public space vs. planned redesign
The event — called Hains Point Hoopla 2.0 and co-hosted by the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) and a new advocacy group named Save East Po — filled the park’s popular three-mile loop with riders and walkers who said the proposed changes could reshape how the peninsula is used.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced earlier this year that Fazio Design would take on a redesign of East Potomac Golf Links. In June, President Donald Trump was photographed reviewing renderings that appeared to show the course expanding across much of the peninsula, and he suggested the renovated facility could host major golf tournaments.
WABA Executive Director Elizabeth Kiker emphasized the loop’s importance to local cyclists and recreation users.
"It's a three-mile loop that bicyclists love. It is flat. There is very little car traffic," said Kiker, urging more people to experience the space.
Historic preservation and legal challenges
Opponents have pointed to the park’s status and to procedural questions about how decisions were made. The D.C. Preservation League has filed a lawsuit challenging the changes and alleging inadequate respect for preservation processes and law.
Rebecca Miller, executive director of the Preservation League, criticized what she described as a departure from established norms in advisory and regulatory bodies that typically oversee such projects.
"People that have been historically appointed to these commissions had respect for their jobs and respect for the rule of law," Miller said. "In this particular case, we just have them passing these because this is what the president wants to do. So it's really a farce at this point."
Voices from the rally
Protesters framed the issue as one of access and community benefit. Arlington resident Jackie Wilson, who carried a sign referencing the peninsula’s miniature golf course, said the area should be cared for rather than overhauled.
Several participants described the loop as an inclusive resource. Bob Hartt, 76, who is blind and rides with Tuesday Night Tandems, spoke about the sensory and social value of cycling at Hains Point.
"For a blind person who doesn't get the opportunity to ride a bicycle, it's just an incredible, incredible experience to feel that air and listen to all the sounds," Hartt said.
Stakeholders and what’s next
At stake are recreational patterns used by cyclists, walkers and other non-golf users; the future configuration of the golf course and surrounding landscape; and compliance with preservation and public review processes. The controversy has drawn local riders, preservationists and elected officials’ attention — with at least one D.C. Council member from Ward 6 noted as involved in the broader debate.
- Primary stakeholders: Interior Department, Fazio Design, National Park Service-adjacent entities, WABA, D.C. Preservation League, neighborhood residents.
- Main concerns: public access, historical preservation, transparency of the planning process.
- Current actions: public protests, advocacy organizing, and litigation challenging the plan.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Design team | Fazio Design appointed |
| Public reaction | Organized rallies and advocacy groups opposing changes |
| Legal action | Lawsuit filed by D.C. Preservation League |
For Washington residents, the debate is about more than a golf course. It is about who decides how a public waterfront peninsula is used and whether changes will prioritize major events and private interests over everyday recreation and historic character. The pushback shows local users are prepared to press their case through public demonstrations and the courts as planning moves forward.
City officials, preservation advocates and community groups continue to watch federal steps closely. Any subsequent approvals, construction schedules or additional lawsuits will shape the future of Hains Point and the ways residents and visitors use this central stretch of parkland.
