Community Feedback

Community Feedback
Fort Ward Observer


January 5, 2011

To all concerned:

I write this to you after examination of the facts to date but without formal findings in-hand of the archeological study recently undertaken at Ft. Ward Park.
I offer this to you for your collective consideration based upon my best professional judgement, with the following recommendations:
* Immediate issues with maintenance yard backing to private fences should be resolved with City plantings of native conifers (alternating double row to create visual screen) with minimum 15' offset from fence/private property lines. 80 trees are needed that will grow to 30' and at least 10' girth.
* Dumpsters should not be placed within 100' of this area/limit of work/property line.
The stormwater issues are more complex, but from walking the property following heavy rainfall and snow melt over the past 20 yrs., it's clear that:
* Debris (fallen trees, siltation) must be removed above existing storm drains so that water may flow unabated.
* Future measures MUST include culverts under existing roadways and the establishment of two or more new storm drain basins near culvert and picnic area collection basins to feed to existing storm drains.
* A dedicated stormwater drain "right-of-way" is needed via a 36-inch diameter (minimum) pipe to catch the upland water from developed areas and feed the existing stormwater system at Van Dorn.
* A Federally-funded Environmental Assessment (EA) should include civil engineering data study and estimate for potential site improvements to preserve and protect Historic Ft. Ward Park.
Measures should continue to proactively protect, preserve and possibly expand cemetery / memorial areas featuring known and/or documented human remains, with approved fencing and appropriate signage for public observation/interpretation.

Respectfully,

Steven C. Doulis, AIA
Occupation: Architect / Project Manager
National Park Service/National Capital Region
Fort Ward Neighbor & Concerned Citizen
4007 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
email: sdoulis@comcast.net