Oakland Baptist Church Letter to Mayor Euille on Fort Ward Park and Museum Area. March 2011.

Dear Mayor Euille:
           
            We, the members of Oakland Baptist Church, are writing you in full support of the recommendations provided by the Ft Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholders Advisory Committee as it relates to improved management of the Ft. Ward Park.  We applaud the efforts of the committee as we are aware of the complexities that had to exist in agreeing to a plan that would both address the needs of the Park while fully considering the impact on the community that immediately surrounds it; we believe that the committee’s recommendations do just that.  Additionally we are interested in scheduling a work session with you, Council members, community, and other interested individuals that could take place on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 from 5:30-7:00, or at your earliest convenient time.

            Oakland Baptist Church was founded in 1891 and has been an integral part of the Ft Ward community and the City of Alexandria since 1897 when a cemetery, on land donated by one of our founding families, was established on the eastern edge of Ft. Ward Park. Not only is the cemetery the only known African-American cemetery in Fairfax County outside of downtown Alexandria, it is the final resting home for the founding and other members of Oakland Baptist Church, which since 1931 has resided at 3408 King Street, Alexandria, Va; only blocks away for Ft. Ward Park.  In the committee’s report it details the neglect of the cemetery which includes deplorable conditions such as the erosion to gravesite headstones resulting from storm water runoff.  As you can imagine we are eager to discuss ways to both remedy the current conditions as well as prevent this type of neglect from happening moving forward.

 While we know you are focused on budgetary concerns and other important city matters, know that we are extremely anxious to hear your plans with regard to the recommendations for the Park.  We feel that the committee has taken all of the correct steps and due diligence in gathering the facts as it relates the Ft. Ward Park and the condition of our cemetery and once again we are in full support of their recommendations. 

  Thank you for your attention to this matter and we anxiously await confirmation for our work session with you.
                                                                                     
                                                                                                   
     
                                                                                        Respectfully Yours,


Lena Rainey,

Vice Chair,
Oakland Baptist Church,
703 509-9186

Donald C. Hayes,
Pastor 
703 901-7522