Rebels March, Block Entrance to Rock Creek Park Golf Course Demanding the National Park Service Change Course

Extinction Rebellion DC speaks for the trees in the latest effort to stop the National Park Service’s deforestation plan

Washington, DC – Today, Extinction Rebellion DC (XRDC) led a march from Rock Creek Park and along Joyce Road to the turnoff for the Rock Creek Park Golf Course, blocking the entrance to the course to demand the National Park Service save the trees and stop their $35 million golf course “rehabilitation” plan.

Rebels started near Picnic Grove #6 in Rock Creek Park, marched down Joyce Road with chants and songs, and ended at the turnoff for the Rock Creek Park Golf Course. At the turnoff, rebels walked in circles around the grass triangle, blocking the entrance to the golf course for several minutes. One rebel dressed up as Dr. Suess’ The Lorax and others wore masks representing the species most in danger from the National Park Service’s (NPS) plan, including the Purple Martin, the Hay’s Spring Amphipod, the Northern Long-Eared Bat, and the American Elm.

Rebels gave brief speeches at the beginning and the end of the march, speaking on behalf of the over 1,000 trees set to be cut down by the National Park Service’s (NPS) Rock Creek Park Golf Course “rehabilitation” plan. Banners read “LET’S SPEAK FOR THE TREES” and “NPS: SAVE THE TREES.”

“The National Park Service made a grave mistake by approving the current version of the Rock Creek Park Golf Course rehabilitation plan. But until the trees are cut, there is still time to course correct,” said Stefanie Salazar (she/her), spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion DC. “By cutting more than 1,000 trees and installing unnecessary artificial lighting that would stay on past dark, the current plan severely damages wildlife habitat, fails to address community concerns, and contributes to the climate crisis that endangers our loved ones. Now is the time to protect trees, not destroy them. The National Park service must own up to their mistakes and reject this plan.”

In 2023, the National Park Service (NPS) presented the plan to rehabilitate and address the deferred maintenance at the Rock Creek Park Golf Course. The plan itself includes cutting more than 1,000 trees, installing a 50-bay driving range with bright lights that will stay illuminated past sunset, and expanding the clubhouse equipped with a full restaurant. Despite thousands of residents opposing the plan during the written public comment period and dozens more opposing the plan at the September 3rd National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) meeting,, the plan was approved.

Until all the trees are cut, there is still time for NPS to change course. XRDC launched its campaign to Save Rock Creek in August by delivering demands to NPS (read the full demand letter here), hosted a press conference in early September opposing the plan, and provided public comment at the NCPC meeting.

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