City of Alexandria, VA
Public Hearing on the FY 2010 Operating Budget
April 13, 2009
Statement by J. Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
Thank your for this opportunity and for your service to the public.
A number of years ago the City expanded the Fort Ward Park maintenance and nursery area placing equipment, vehicles, structures and various materials on top of the graves of African-Americans who lived within and are buried in Fort Ward Park. The area was expanded adjacent to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. This action has desecrated the graves within and in front of the maintenance and nursery area. It has also created a water runoff problem that is damaging graves within the Cemetery. This thoughtless and dishonorable situation must be remedied as soon as possible.
I am here today to ask the Mayor and City Council, working with the City Manager, to add $150,000 in City funds in the 2010 budget to remove all evidence of the Fort Ward Park maintenance and nursery area, and begin archeological and historical research and surveys in 2010 to locate African American graves and structures.
The ground within this area should be graded and seeded, or covered with sod, and regularly maintained until the City’s Office of Archeology can complete their surveys and studies and develop a stewardship plan for its conservation, protection and interpretation.
For many of us these graves are a record of the rich overlooked history of African-Americans who contributed, in no small part, their hard labor and land to develop Alexandria into the vibrant city it is today. For others the graves are places where our residents remember those they knew and loved--neighbors, spouses, parents and grandparents.
I hope that restoring these graves, and interpreting this part of the park’s rich history, is not the lowest priority in Alexandria. I urge you to please, please do the right thing and add $150,000 to the 2010 budget for this purpose.
Thank you.
Public Hearing on the FY 2010 Operating Budget
April 13, 2009
Statement by J. Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street, Alexandria, VA 22304
Thank your for this opportunity and for your service to the public.
A number of years ago the City expanded the Fort Ward Park maintenance and nursery area placing equipment, vehicles, structures and various materials on top of the graves of African-Americans who lived within and are buried in Fort Ward Park. The area was expanded adjacent to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. This action has desecrated the graves within and in front of the maintenance and nursery area. It has also created a water runoff problem that is damaging graves within the Cemetery. This thoughtless and dishonorable situation must be remedied as soon as possible.
I am here today to ask the Mayor and City Council, working with the City Manager, to add $150,000 in City funds in the 2010 budget to remove all evidence of the Fort Ward Park maintenance and nursery area, and begin archeological and historical research and surveys in 2010 to locate African American graves and structures.
The ground within this area should be graded and seeded, or covered with sod, and regularly maintained until the City’s Office of Archeology can complete their surveys and studies and develop a stewardship plan for its conservation, protection and interpretation.
For many of us these graves are a record of the rich overlooked history of African-Americans who contributed, in no small part, their hard labor and land to develop Alexandria into the vibrant city it is today. For others the graves are places where our residents remember those they knew and loved--neighbors, spouses, parents and grandparents.
I hope that restoring these graves, and interpreting this part of the park’s rich history, is not the lowest priority in Alexandria. I urge you to please, please do the right thing and add $150,000 to the 2010 budget for this purpose.
Thank you.
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