Comments on Fort Ward Park Operation and Facility Improvements
February 18, 2009
Fort Ward Park provides Alexandria with the great opportunity to highlight the unique spirit, character and historic identity of our City by preserving this Civil War defense of Washington DC and the sacred ground of freed Blacks who established a community here. The zest to modernize our local resources and provide recreation services to our current residents must not destroy this historic asset; it must be preserved for future generations. Fort Ward Park, unlike many other facilities maintained by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, is a unique cultural attribute, an irreplaceable heritage that makes Alexandria the historic destination that attracts residents and visitors to our city.
In 1961, Alexandria recognized the value of this historic asset and began a professional reconstruction and preservation project to return the fort to its authentic Civil War era appearance. Indeed, the work was so successful that according to our City’s website, “Fort Ward has been cited as the best Civil War restoration/preservation project in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as the flagship of the Defenses of Washington.”
Therefore, the primary goal of this Fort Ward Park plan must be preservation of this historic resource. Although this 44 acre expanse of rare, open space is tantalizing to those Park Administrators eager for precious land to conduct West End park maintenance functions, such activities particularly the use of heavy vehicles and equipment over this land threaten to erode fragile embankments, jeopardize the health of tree roots, and create inappropriate noise and traffic. Ad hoc soil deposits and grading have led to water flow redirection and problem both within and adjacent to the Park. Lack of consistent policies regarding trash collection led to major health concerns for park neighbors in adjacent Marlboro Estates, a problem that has at least temporarily been resolved. Headstones outside the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery have been destroyed by careless disregard. The grave of one of our prominent former residents, Clara Adams now sits inside the maintenance area, fenced with numerous City vehicles parked around it—hardly respectful. The activities within the Arboretum, now referred to as the Horticultural Center, are industrial in character and inconsistent with the contemplative, historic tenor of the environment.
The first priority of this plan should be the relocation of the horticultural activities to an alternate, industrial zoned area of the city, such as the area abutting Metro tracks at the end of South Quaker Lane.
The land currently occupied by the Horticultural Center should be restored to open area that can be maintained easily. To the extent possible, the graves of freed Blacks should be marked showing proper, respectful treatment of human remains.
Fort Ward is a wonderful laboratory for archeologists, and summer programs for students could be incorporated into the City’s summer recreation programs.
When funding permits, the City along with community organizations could create an interpretive trail, marked to indicate that this historic place tells a compelling story of freed Blacks immediately following their emancipation after the Civil War.
The plan should contain an inventory and assessment of the age and health of the park’s trees, and a prioritization of new plantings or replacements.
The Parks Department needs an engineered approach to address water flow to mitigate erosion damage.
The new noise policies for the Park have been welcome; signs in both English and Spanish posted near the entrance could help notify park users of these noise policies and of the prohibition of parking vehicles on grassy areas, use of moon bounces, dunk tanks, etc.
Rather than funding the building of new pavilions for party rentals, the Park would benefit from acquisition and placement of additional benches along tree-lined paths. To preserve the historic integrity of the park environment, development should focus on the needs of individual and small grouped pedestrians, rather than on large group events.
The City should complete identified repairs on deteriorating existing structures and bathrooms, bringing the park to a good state of maintenance.
With respect to recreation users, the City could direct groups seeking reservations to those parks most appropriate for specific uses: Fort Ward for historic re-enactments/Scottish day commemoration/small groups and weddings, Ben Brenman Park for jazz festivals, large group events, including political party meetings and City worker parties; and Chinquapin for recreation oriented events, such as end of school parties/soccer club events, etc.. The $300,000 proposed to install seven new park shelters in Fort Ward Park could be re-directed to Ben Brenman and Chinquapin that would host larger events.
The plan for this historic park should be developed not in isolation, but in cooperation with our city archeologists, Friends of Fort Ward, Seminary Hill Association, neighbors, and other interested citizen groups and educators.
While we recognize the challenge of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities in balancing the needs of all of Alexandria’s citizens, it is incumbent on us to protect and cherish the few historic properties that remain in our densely populated landscape. The park must be treated with respect and maintenance activities located at the park that cause blight and deter from the peaceful beauty of the environment must be restricted. Fort Ward Park is a unique asset, a treasure for Alexandrians to restore and preserve.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jeanne M. O’Leary
4020 Ellicott St.
Alexandria, VA 22304
fulton-oleary@verizon.net
February 18, 2009
Fort Ward Park provides Alexandria with the great opportunity to highlight the unique spirit, character and historic identity of our City by preserving this Civil War defense of Washington DC and the sacred ground of freed Blacks who established a community here. The zest to modernize our local resources and provide recreation services to our current residents must not destroy this historic asset; it must be preserved for future generations. Fort Ward Park, unlike many other facilities maintained by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, is a unique cultural attribute, an irreplaceable heritage that makes Alexandria the historic destination that attracts residents and visitors to our city.
In 1961, Alexandria recognized the value of this historic asset and began a professional reconstruction and preservation project to return the fort to its authentic Civil War era appearance. Indeed, the work was so successful that according to our City’s website, “Fort Ward has been cited as the best Civil War restoration/preservation project in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as the flagship of the Defenses of Washington.”
Therefore, the primary goal of this Fort Ward Park plan must be preservation of this historic resource. Although this 44 acre expanse of rare, open space is tantalizing to those Park Administrators eager for precious land to conduct West End park maintenance functions, such activities particularly the use of heavy vehicles and equipment over this land threaten to erode fragile embankments, jeopardize the health of tree roots, and create inappropriate noise and traffic. Ad hoc soil deposits and grading have led to water flow redirection and problem both within and adjacent to the Park. Lack of consistent policies regarding trash collection led to major health concerns for park neighbors in adjacent Marlboro Estates, a problem that has at least temporarily been resolved. Headstones outside the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery have been destroyed by careless disregard. The grave of one of our prominent former residents, Clara Adams now sits inside the maintenance area, fenced with numerous City vehicles parked around it—hardly respectful. The activities within the Arboretum, now referred to as the Horticultural Center, are industrial in character and inconsistent with the contemplative, historic tenor of the environment.
The first priority of this plan should be the relocation of the horticultural activities to an alternate, industrial zoned area of the city, such as the area abutting Metro tracks at the end of South Quaker Lane.
The land currently occupied by the Horticultural Center should be restored to open area that can be maintained easily. To the extent possible, the graves of freed Blacks should be marked showing proper, respectful treatment of human remains.
Fort Ward is a wonderful laboratory for archeologists, and summer programs for students could be incorporated into the City’s summer recreation programs.
When funding permits, the City along with community organizations could create an interpretive trail, marked to indicate that this historic place tells a compelling story of freed Blacks immediately following their emancipation after the Civil War.
The plan should contain an inventory and assessment of the age and health of the park’s trees, and a prioritization of new plantings or replacements.
The Parks Department needs an engineered approach to address water flow to mitigate erosion damage.
The new noise policies for the Park have been welcome; signs in both English and Spanish posted near the entrance could help notify park users of these noise policies and of the prohibition of parking vehicles on grassy areas, use of moon bounces, dunk tanks, etc.
Rather than funding the building of new pavilions for party rentals, the Park would benefit from acquisition and placement of additional benches along tree-lined paths. To preserve the historic integrity of the park environment, development should focus on the needs of individual and small grouped pedestrians, rather than on large group events.
The City should complete identified repairs on deteriorating existing structures and bathrooms, bringing the park to a good state of maintenance.
With respect to recreation users, the City could direct groups seeking reservations to those parks most appropriate for specific uses: Fort Ward for historic re-enactments/Scottish day commemoration/small groups and weddings, Ben Brenman Park for jazz festivals, large group events, including political party meetings and City worker parties; and Chinquapin for recreation oriented events, such as end of school parties/soccer club events, etc.. The $300,000 proposed to install seven new park shelters in Fort Ward Park could be re-directed to Ben Brenman and Chinquapin that would host larger events.
The plan for this historic park should be developed not in isolation, but in cooperation with our city archeologists, Friends of Fort Ward, Seminary Hill Association, neighbors, and other interested citizen groups and educators.
While we recognize the challenge of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities in balancing the needs of all of Alexandria’s citizens, it is incumbent on us to protect and cherish the few historic properties that remain in our densely populated landscape. The park must be treated with respect and maintenance activities located at the park that cause blight and deter from the peaceful beauty of the environment must be restricted. Fort Ward Park is a unique asset, a treasure for Alexandrians to restore and preserve.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jeanne M. O’Leary
4020 Ellicott St.
Alexandria, VA 22304
fulton-oleary@verizon.net
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