City Agrees to Move Fort Ward Park Dumpsters

From: "glenn eugster"
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 7:38:17 PM
Subject: City Agrees to Move Fort Ward Park Dumpsters

Yesterday Roger Blakeley, Deputy Director of the Alexandria Parks Department, Walter Powell, Park Manager of Fort Ward Park, and John Walsh, of the Fort Ward Park Nursery, met with Tom Fulton, Jeanne O'Leary, Margaret McCormick, Dennis Carroll, and me to continue discussions about the grabage and brush dumpsters in the Fort Ward Park maintenance area. At the meeting Mr. Blakeley told our group that the City, as a result of neighborhood concerns, has removed the large dumpster from Fort Ward Park. He also noted that the small dumpster will be moved from the maintenance yard to another location in the park somewhere near Braddock Road very soon.
Mr. Blakeley also told our group that the City will erect and eight-foot fence and plant more trees and shrubs along the poperty line between the maintenace yard and the residences the Ellicott Street residences. The City has also agreed to plant trees and shrubs along the fence of the Oakland Baptist Church cemetery.
Mr. Blakeley also noted that the City will attempt to improve it's management of group picnic activities within the park this summer through a permit system.
The news that Mr. Blakeley shared with our group comes after seven and one half months of discussions with the Mayor and City Council, Councilman Wilson and Krupicka's staff, the Parks Department Director, leaders of the Seminary Hill Association, managers of the VA Department of Solid Waste, the Trustees of the Oakland Baptist Church and neighborhood residents.
A meeting between our group and the City Parks Department will be held in mid-July to go over the progress being made to implement these committments.
Thank you for your interest, support and efforts to help protect the quality of our neighborhood and historic Fort Ward Park. Your participation and involvement made a difference.
Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street