Judge lets fed's maintenance proceed at historic D.C. golf course despite fears of closure

A federal judge on Monday allowed the National Park Service to proceed with its maintenance plans for the District’s East Potomac Golf Course, a day after a preservation group argued the repairs are actually the start of a full-scale closure and renovation of the public golf course. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said it is too early for her to issue emergency relief and prevent the park service from proceeding with its scheduled upkeep. But she instructed the agency to alert the court if heavy machinery is brought in to remove trees on the course. Judge Reyes, a Biden appointee, added that she would need to know the park service’s plans in greater detail at that point. “I don’t want to be the overseer of parks and rec. I’m no Amy Poehler,” she said, referring to the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation.” The D.C. Preservation League, the plaintiff, pushed for the emergency hearing following reports last week in which the Trump administration appeared ready to shut the course and begin extensive renovations to the public property. That work would include landscaping, tree-clearing and completing deferred maintenance, according to news outlet NOTUS. The project was set to begin Monday. A larger