Ft. Ward Park-Marlboro Estates Status Report
DRAFT August 5, 2008
Prepared by Glenn Eugster
Introduction
The following is a summary of various activities and issues related to Ft. Ward Park and the residents of Marlboro Estates. Included is a summary of a meeting that was held with the City on July 1, 2008.
Should you have any questions please contact me.
Summary
1. The City of Alexandria, in response to the request of residents of Marlboro Estates and the efforts of City Council members, the Alexandria Police Department, the Parks & Recreation Department, the VA Department of Environmental Quality, and the Seminary Valley Neighborhood Association, has:
• Increased regular police patrols in the neighborhood and in Ft. Ward Park to protect the quality of life and discourage criminal activity in Marlboro Estates.
• Moved a solid waste transfer station from the Ft. Ward Park maintenance yard to a location outside of the park.
• Moved a dumpster used for park picnic area waste and brush from the maintenance yard to another location away from neighborhood homes.
• Provided a buffer between the maintenance yard and residential properties along Ellicott Street.
• Promised to maintain the vegetation which grows from park land onto homeowner fences. This task has not been completed.
• Scheduled a meeting between residents and the City Parks & Recreation managers in early December 2008.
2. Since early July there have been numerous homeowner complaints filed with the Alexandria Police Department and the Parks & Recreation Department about the excessive noise levels coming from the picnic pavilions in Ft. Ward Park. Park users are increasingly using music sound amplifiers (speakers), 3-5 feet high, with the approval of the City’s Permit Office. The noise levels, which some long-term residents believe are the loudest they have heard in 15 years, are not consistent with the City’s Noise Ordinance.
Although the Police Department, Parks & Recreation Department, and the Ft. Ward Park Manager have been working on this issue excessive noise levels have continued.
3. The City’s Parks & Recreation Department is planning to add two new picnic pavilions to Ft. Ward Park and the City is getting a lot of pressure for more use of these areas. The new picnic pavilions are to be located just beyond the park’s new entrance booth, in the area to the right of the road that is posted as “Closed for Renovation”. Another picnic pavilion that will be upgraded is the shelter to the right side of the park entrance between Braddock Road and the Plant Nursery. Both areas will be similar in design to the existing pavilions which are used by groups ranging from 35 to 200 people.
I have made a request to the Parks & Recreation Department, on behalf of the neighborhood, that these improvements not be made until the noise problem is resolved and the residents of our neighborhood have an opportunity to review the plans for this facilities. Also requested was a copy of the master/ management plan for the park and the policies that the park is used, managed and operated under. At this time the Parks & Recreation managers have not replied to the request and it appears that work has begun on one of the new picnic pavilions.
4. Plans are well underway for the Ft. Ward Park and City of Alexandria Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration. The effort, which was reported on recently in a separate memo, is being lead by the West End Business District and the Ft. Ward Park Museum and Historic Site. The purpose of the effort is to: 1) celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War at Ft. Ward Park and around the City; and 2) promote Ft. Ward Park for visitors from inside and outside the City.
Past Events
July 1, 2008 Meeting with Marlboro Estates Landowners & Alexandria Parks & Recreation Department
Attendees: Roger Blakeley, Steve Tompkins, John Walsh, and Walter Powell from the City of Alexandria, VA; Jeff Lane, Mary Beth Buchholz, Dennis Carroll, Glenn Eugster, Thad Dilley, Nancy Jennings, and Tom Fulton from Marlboro Estates.
The purpose of the meeting was to:
1. Go over the changes that we requested the City make to the garbage disposal area and maintenance yard in Fort Ward Park.
2. Learn of the City's plans for new picnic shelters in the park.
3. Discuss other issues of neighborhood interest or concern including excessive noise which comes from the picnic areas.
The group met near the gate to the Fort Ward Park maintenance yard at 10:30 am. Roger Blakeley opened the meeting by discussing many of the changes that the City Parks & Recreation Department made to the maintenance yard since the last meeting on April 21, 2008. Roger and the other City managers led the landowners on a brief tour through the maintenance yard and into the newly created buffer area adjacent to some of the homes on Ellicott Street. Following Roger’s opening remarks several landowners thanked the City managers for their time and the effort they have made to respond to the Marlboro Estates health and safety concerns.
The group began discussion on the following items while standing in the buffer area and outside the maintenance yard.
1. John Walsh indicated that the City would add three more Evergreen trees to the buffer and additional plantings to the other section of the buffer adjacent to where the maintenance vehicles are kept.
2. Tom Fulton asked the City to help remove poison ivy vines which has grown along the fence adjacent to his property.
3. Roger Blakeley said that Walter Powell has begun to manage the cars that are using the park as a way to drop-off and pick-up children using St. Stephens and St. Agnes School. He noted the new signs and speed bumps that have been installed in the park.
4. Walter noted that two new picnic pavilions are being
planned and the City is getting a lot of pressure for more use of these areas. The new picnic pavilions are to be located just beyond the park’s new entrance booth, in the area to the right of the road that is posted as “Closed for Renovation”. Another picnic pavilion that will be upgraded is the shelter to the right side of the park entrance between Braddock Road and the plant nursery.
5. Roger added that the City was trying to improve the current permit process to insure that the park facilities are not over-used. He added that the City is trying to limit parking and that in the past the permit office was giving permits without consideration of the amount of parking available. He said that they are considering 4 hour blocks of time for picnic rentals for next year.
6. Residents noted the ongoing noise problems that many residents have complained about recently. Walter said that residents should call Alexandria City Police when they have concerns about noise levels. Glenn Eugster indicated that the current park noise permit does not address noise levels nor does it reference the need to adhere to the City’s existing noise ordinance. Roger noted that maybe the City could revise their noise permit to make it more effective. The City representatives indicated that current permitted noise levels were somewhere between 80 and 120 decibels.
7. Dennis Carroll said that the City was 100% responsive to our earlier concerns about the dumpsters in the maintenance yard and that he and others appreciated the efforts. He expressed concern about the future use of the maintenance yard--in response to the news that the City is planning to move the plant nursery. He also expressed serious concern about the addition of new picnic pavilions in the park. Dennis said that new pavilions close to our neighborhood will diminish property values as well as the quality of daily life in Marlboro Estates.
Roger said that the option of moving the plant nursery is being considered by the City. If the plant nursery leaves the City is considering placing a picnic pavilion in that part of the park. Thad Dilley said that he feels that the plant nursery operation is a good neighbor and hopes that it doesn’t move. Other residents expressed serious concern about a new picnic pavilion being located close to the homes on Ellicott Street.
8. Glenn asked Roger about the status of the park’s
management/ master plan. The park does not currently have a plan for management or future park improvements. Roger said that there will be a management plan and an opportunity for public input. Roger continued and said that by mid-month a Fort Ward Cost Center estimate will be developed(see the City Parks & Recreation website) which will then be followed by a park master plan. Roger said the master plan will be done soon and there will be a public meeting. Roger said that the schedule for the park master plan will depend on the City’s overall workload which is considerable. It may be months or years before the City gets to this task. Walter added that the park is being looked at to help raise revenue for the City.
9. Nancy Jennings asked about the dog park portion of
Fort Ward Park and said that she thought it was hardly ever used. Roger and Walter explained that the Fort Ward Park is used and it is part of the City’s Dog Park Master Plan.
10. Discussion continued about possible future uses of the maintenance yard and plant nursery if those areas are moved. A number of residents reiterated that the nursery is a good neighbor and that a picnic area adjacent to the homes along Ellicott Street would be unacceptable to our residents. Dennis recognized that the City has a challenging job managing the park given the three distinct use areas—the historic core and museum, the picnic area, and the residential buffer/ plant nursery area. He said he hoped that we could maintain a buffer between our homes and existing and future park activity areas.
Next Steps
· Roger said that the City would like to continue discussions with the group about existing and future park management and use. He stressed that it was important for us to communicate our concerns and interests with him so that he can share those interests and ideas with the other managers.
· He said he hoped that the residents would provide input into the master/ management plan once the effort is underway. He added that he would like the input of our landowners as they begin to develop a plan for the park.
· Roger suggested that the group meet in six months [December 2008] to talk again.
· He also said the City would review the picnic area reservation permit system and see if it could be improved.
Prepared by Glenn Eugster July 10, 2008
DRAFT August 5, 2008
Prepared by Glenn Eugster
Introduction
The following is a summary of various activities and issues related to Ft. Ward Park and the residents of Marlboro Estates. Included is a summary of a meeting that was held with the City on July 1, 2008.
Should you have any questions please contact me.
Summary
1. The City of Alexandria, in response to the request of residents of Marlboro Estates and the efforts of City Council members, the Alexandria Police Department, the Parks & Recreation Department, the VA Department of Environmental Quality, and the Seminary Valley Neighborhood Association, has:
• Increased regular police patrols in the neighborhood and in Ft. Ward Park to protect the quality of life and discourage criminal activity in Marlboro Estates.
• Moved a solid waste transfer station from the Ft. Ward Park maintenance yard to a location outside of the park.
• Moved a dumpster used for park picnic area waste and brush from the maintenance yard to another location away from neighborhood homes.
• Provided a buffer between the maintenance yard and residential properties along Ellicott Street.
• Promised to maintain the vegetation which grows from park land onto homeowner fences. This task has not been completed.
• Scheduled a meeting between residents and the City Parks & Recreation managers in early December 2008.
2. Since early July there have been numerous homeowner complaints filed with the Alexandria Police Department and the Parks & Recreation Department about the excessive noise levels coming from the picnic pavilions in Ft. Ward Park. Park users are increasingly using music sound amplifiers (speakers), 3-5 feet high, with the approval of the City’s Permit Office. The noise levels, which some long-term residents believe are the loudest they have heard in 15 years, are not consistent with the City’s Noise Ordinance.
Although the Police Department, Parks & Recreation Department, and the Ft. Ward Park Manager have been working on this issue excessive noise levels have continued.
3. The City’s Parks & Recreation Department is planning to add two new picnic pavilions to Ft. Ward Park and the City is getting a lot of pressure for more use of these areas. The new picnic pavilions are to be located just beyond the park’s new entrance booth, in the area to the right of the road that is posted as “Closed for Renovation”. Another picnic pavilion that will be upgraded is the shelter to the right side of the park entrance between Braddock Road and the Plant Nursery. Both areas will be similar in design to the existing pavilions which are used by groups ranging from 35 to 200 people.
I have made a request to the Parks & Recreation Department, on behalf of the neighborhood, that these improvements not be made until the noise problem is resolved and the residents of our neighborhood have an opportunity to review the plans for this facilities. Also requested was a copy of the master/ management plan for the park and the policies that the park is used, managed and operated under. At this time the Parks & Recreation managers have not replied to the request and it appears that work has begun on one of the new picnic pavilions.
4. Plans are well underway for the Ft. Ward Park and City of Alexandria Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration. The effort, which was reported on recently in a separate memo, is being lead by the West End Business District and the Ft. Ward Park Museum and Historic Site. The purpose of the effort is to: 1) celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War at Ft. Ward Park and around the City; and 2) promote Ft. Ward Park for visitors from inside and outside the City.
Past Events
July 1, 2008 Meeting with Marlboro Estates Landowners & Alexandria Parks & Recreation Department
Attendees: Roger Blakeley, Steve Tompkins, John Walsh, and Walter Powell from the City of Alexandria, VA; Jeff Lane, Mary Beth Buchholz, Dennis Carroll, Glenn Eugster, Thad Dilley, Nancy Jennings, and Tom Fulton from Marlboro Estates.
The purpose of the meeting was to:
1. Go over the changes that we requested the City make to the garbage disposal area and maintenance yard in Fort Ward Park.
2. Learn of the City's plans for new picnic shelters in the park.
3. Discuss other issues of neighborhood interest or concern including excessive noise which comes from the picnic areas.
The group met near the gate to the Fort Ward Park maintenance yard at 10:30 am. Roger Blakeley opened the meeting by discussing many of the changes that the City Parks & Recreation Department made to the maintenance yard since the last meeting on April 21, 2008. Roger and the other City managers led the landowners on a brief tour through the maintenance yard and into the newly created buffer area adjacent to some of the homes on Ellicott Street. Following Roger’s opening remarks several landowners thanked the City managers for their time and the effort they have made to respond to the Marlboro Estates health and safety concerns.
The group began discussion on the following items while standing in the buffer area and outside the maintenance yard.
1. John Walsh indicated that the City would add three more Evergreen trees to the buffer and additional plantings to the other section of the buffer adjacent to where the maintenance vehicles are kept.
2. Tom Fulton asked the City to help remove poison ivy vines which has grown along the fence adjacent to his property.
3. Roger Blakeley said that Walter Powell has begun to manage the cars that are using the park as a way to drop-off and pick-up children using St. Stephens and St. Agnes School. He noted the new signs and speed bumps that have been installed in the park.
4. Walter noted that two new picnic pavilions are being
planned and the City is getting a lot of pressure for more use of these areas. The new picnic pavilions are to be located just beyond the park’s new entrance booth, in the area to the right of the road that is posted as “Closed for Renovation”. Another picnic pavilion that will be upgraded is the shelter to the right side of the park entrance between Braddock Road and the plant nursery.
5. Roger added that the City was trying to improve the current permit process to insure that the park facilities are not over-used. He added that the City is trying to limit parking and that in the past the permit office was giving permits without consideration of the amount of parking available. He said that they are considering 4 hour blocks of time for picnic rentals for next year.
6. Residents noted the ongoing noise problems that many residents have complained about recently. Walter said that residents should call Alexandria City Police when they have concerns about noise levels. Glenn Eugster indicated that the current park noise permit does not address noise levels nor does it reference the need to adhere to the City’s existing noise ordinance. Roger noted that maybe the City could revise their noise permit to make it more effective. The City representatives indicated that current permitted noise levels were somewhere between 80 and 120 decibels.
7. Dennis Carroll said that the City was 100% responsive to our earlier concerns about the dumpsters in the maintenance yard and that he and others appreciated the efforts. He expressed concern about the future use of the maintenance yard--in response to the news that the City is planning to move the plant nursery. He also expressed serious concern about the addition of new picnic pavilions in the park. Dennis said that new pavilions close to our neighborhood will diminish property values as well as the quality of daily life in Marlboro Estates.
Roger said that the option of moving the plant nursery is being considered by the City. If the plant nursery leaves the City is considering placing a picnic pavilion in that part of the park. Thad Dilley said that he feels that the plant nursery operation is a good neighbor and hopes that it doesn’t move. Other residents expressed serious concern about a new picnic pavilion being located close to the homes on Ellicott Street.
8. Glenn asked Roger about the status of the park’s
management/ master plan. The park does not currently have a plan for management or future park improvements. Roger said that there will be a management plan and an opportunity for public input. Roger continued and said that by mid-month a Fort Ward Cost Center estimate will be developed(see the City Parks & Recreation website) which will then be followed by a park master plan. Roger said the master plan will be done soon and there will be a public meeting. Roger said that the schedule for the park master plan will depend on the City’s overall workload which is considerable. It may be months or years before the City gets to this task. Walter added that the park is being looked at to help raise revenue for the City.
9. Nancy Jennings asked about the dog park portion of
Fort Ward Park and said that she thought it was hardly ever used. Roger and Walter explained that the Fort Ward Park is used and it is part of the City’s Dog Park Master Plan.
10. Discussion continued about possible future uses of the maintenance yard and plant nursery if those areas are moved. A number of residents reiterated that the nursery is a good neighbor and that a picnic area adjacent to the homes along Ellicott Street would be unacceptable to our residents. Dennis recognized that the City has a challenging job managing the park given the three distinct use areas—the historic core and museum, the picnic area, and the residential buffer/ plant nursery area. He said he hoped that we could maintain a buffer between our homes and existing and future park activity areas.
Next Steps
· Roger said that the City would like to continue discussions with the group about existing and future park management and use. He stressed that it was important for us to communicate our concerns and interests with him so that he can share those interests and ideas with the other managers.
· He said he hoped that the residents would provide input into the master/ management plan once the effort is underway. He added that he would like the input of our landowners as they begin to develop a plan for the park.
· Roger suggested that the group meet in six months [December 2008] to talk again.
· He also said the City would review the picnic area reservation permit system and see if it could be improved.
Prepared by Glenn Eugster July 10, 2008
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