Park Rental and Over Crowding Issue by Kirk Kincannon September 5, 2008

From: "Kirk Kincannon"
To: plidy@comcast.net, "glenn eugster"
Cc: "Roger Blakeley" , "William Chesley" , "Leslie Clark"
Sent: Friday, September 5, 2008 5:46:25 PM
Subject: Re: Ft .Ward Pk

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the park rental and over crowding issue
at Fort Ward. I met with staff this week and discussed site control
methods and regulations that would allow staff to intercede in these
situations, with the goal that new regulations and procedures would
eliminate future issues with park picnic rental over crowding.
Unfortunately in this situation the rental group did not provide accurate
information and stated that the group size would be less than 50 in each of
the picnic rental areas used.

I have asked staff to develop new protocols and procedures for preventing
and handling these situations in the future and to coordinate park crowd
control and enforcement issues with the Alexandria Police Department.

On behalf of park staff, the Department and the City, I offer my apology
for the impact to the neighborhood and surrounding community. Please know
that we are working hard to improve the crowd control overuse issues for
all of our over used parks and we appreciate your concerns and commitment
to a better community and City.

Kirk Kincannon, CPRP, Director
Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Alexandria, Virginia
www.alexandriava.gov



plidy@comcast.net

09/04/2008 06:57 PM
To kirk.kincannon@alexandriava.gov
cc

Subject Ft .Ward Pk






Attend: Kirk Kincannon
Director Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

Sunday August 31, from 5 P.M through 9:30 P.M. Braddock Court, Victoria
Lane, Louis Place, Lynn House, and Saint Stephens/Saint Agnes School were
inundated with parked cars from the overflow group activity in Ft. Ward Park. The
overflow crowd caused traffic congestion, safety concerns, and excessive trash (esp.
liquor bottles) in and around the Park and surrounding streets.

As Area 7 representative to Seminary Hills Association, I am concerned that
activities such as the one on Sunday continue to occur for the second year
in a row, which can result in disruption in the our West End neighborhoods and
damage to our Park.

What process is in place for issuing permits to use of the Park by large
groups? Where is the control over the issuing permits for use of the Park?

I would appreciate your response to this concerns.


Pat Lidy
Area 7 Representative
Seminary Hills Association
2008 Braddock Court
Alexandria, VA 22304

Tel. 703-823-6763
plidy@comcast.net

cc:Joanne Lapanto
Nancy Jennings