Historical Significance

The East Potomac Miniature Golf Course holds a unique place in American recreational history. Opened in 1931, it is the longest continuously operating miniature golf course in North America. Nestled between the Potomac River and Washington Channel, the course is situated on federally owned land maintained by the National Park Service (NPS) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo Source: National Parks Service

Conditions Prior to Construction  

Despite its cultural significance, the course had seen minimal investment in recent decades with declining play. By the early 2020s, many of its original features had deteriorated. In 2020, the National Links Trust (NLT), a nonprofit committed to revitalizing municipal golf in the U.S., entered into a 50-year lease with the National Parks Service to manage three D.C.-area golf properties. East Potomac Mini Golf became the first renovation project under this partnership, selected not only for its manageable scale, but also for its symbolic potential - a test case in combining historic preservation, sustainable materials, and accessible public recreation.

Layered Garden Experience 

In reimagining the site, Moody Graham envisioned the mini golf course not simply as a play surface, but as a holistic garden experience. The design emphasizes tactile and visual variety, transitions between different materials, the interplay of hardscape and softscape, and planting strategies that add depth, character, and ecological value to the space. This approach introduced a rich new planting palette, including 10 new trees, 274 shrubs, and 7,559 perennials, transforming the course into a vibrant and immersive landscape that evolves throughout the seasons.

Golfing in a Garden

The renovation of East Potomac Mini Golf came with a clear but challenging task: bring new life to a historic course while staying true to its original character. Working within the site’s existing layout and materials, the design team focused on improving usability, addressing drainage issues, incorporating native plants, and creating a fun and welcoming experience for visitors. 

A key asset of the site was its mature canopy - healthy, well-established trees that provided a strong upper framework for the landscape. Preserving these trees was a priority throughout the design and construction of the project. Root zone mapping, air spading, and protective construction practices helped avoid disturbance during grading and material installation. New native understory trees, shrubs, and perennials infill the missing garden layers. The new garden supports increased bio-diversity, improves stormwater resilience, and enhances the visitor experience.

Designing for Nighttime Use

To recapture the spirit of the course from it's earliest use, when it remained open late into the night, lighting was reintroduced as a core design element. Moody Graham collaborated with the team to develop a system of catenary lighting and fixtures inspired by the original lighting design. The lighting improves safety and accessibility after dark.

Lighting Inspired by Historical Design.

Historical Lighting. Photo Source: National Parks Service

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