From: "glenn eugster"
To: "James Spengler"
Sent: Friday, October 9, 2009 8:46:45 PM
Subject: Research on Fort Ward Park Plans and Family Graves
Dear Mr. Mallamo and Mr. Spengler,
I hope this note finds you well.
I noticed that the City Council is scheduled to consider approval of the use of the funds that were included in the City’s 2010 budget for archaeological research at Fort Ward Park at their October 13, 2009 meeting. I also understand that the Fort Ward Park History Group will have it’s first meeting on October 17, 2009. Both of these and other recent developments, including the process to appoint a Fort Ward Park Ad-hoc Advisory Committee, are viewed positively by many community leaders and residents. All of us appreciate your leadership and willingness to listen to citizen views.
Given your efforts I thought you should be aware that a group of us have continued to do research on Fort Ward Park and found important information about the initial design of the park and other possible family graves sites.
On various occasions we have been told by the City Recreation Department leadership that there is no master plan for Fort Ward Park and we should not expect one in the next ten years. After considerable research we have found the initial plan which was funded by City Council and prepared by the Recreation Department for the park. The plan set the city’s vision for the park, identified facilities and overall use areas, and areas to be left undeveloped. It also indicates the location of grave sites, outside of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, and plans for their protection and public access.
We have also found correspondence between private interests and city leaders that acknowledges family graves on property that was being acquired for the park.
This, and other information, contradicts statements that city officials have made about the past planning for the park and their knowledge of African American graves within this area.
Please let me know if you would like to meet with us to discuss our research.
Thanks again for your willingness to work with us.
Sincerely,
Glenn
J. Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, VA. 22304
703-845-8947
glenn_eugster@comcast.net
From: "glenn eugster"
To: "James Spengler"
Sent: Friday, October 9, 2009 8:46:45 PM
Subject: Research on Fort Ward Park Plans and Family Graves
Dear Mr. Mallamo and Mr. Spengler,
I hope this note finds you well.
I noticed that the City Council is scheduled to consider approval of the use of the funds that were included in the City’s 2010 budget for archaeological research at Fort Ward Park at their October 13, 2009 meeting. I also understand that the Fort Ward Park History Group will have it’s first meeting on October 17, 2009. Both of these and other recent developments, including the process to appoint a Fort Ward Park Ad-hoc Advisory Committee, are viewed positively by many community leaders and residents. All of us appreciate your leadership and willingness to listen to citizen views.
Given your efforts I thought you should be aware that a group of us have continued to do research on Fort Ward Park and found important information about the initial design of the park and other possible family graves sites.
On various occasions we have been told by the City Recreation Department leadership that there is no master plan for Fort Ward Park and we should not expect one in the next ten years. After considerable research we have found the initial plan which was funded by City Council and prepared by the Recreation Department for the park. The plan set the city’s vision for the park, identified facilities and overall use areas, and areas to be left undeveloped. It also indicates the location of grave sites, outside of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, and plans for their protection and public access.
We have also found correspondence between private interests and city leaders that acknowledges family graves on property that was being acquired for the park.
This, and other information, contradicts statements that city officials have made about the past planning for the park and their knowledge of African American graves within this area.
Please let me know if you would like to meet with us to discuss our research.
Thanks again for your willingness to work with us.
Sincerely,
Glenn
J. Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, VA. 22304
703-845-8947
glenn_eugster@comcast.net
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