Request for Fort Ward Assistance April 28, 2010

From: "glenn eugster"
To: "James Spengler" , "Lance Mallamo"
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 8:58:16 AM
Subject: Fort Ward Assistance Please


Dear Mr. Spengler and Mr. Mallamo,

Good day. I hope this note finds you well.

I need your assistance with some of the research I am doing at Fort Ward Park for the History Workgroup.

From the files I've looked at and the city employees I've spoken with, my understanding is that City employees removed African American gravestones from grave sites in Fort Ward Park sometime in the late 1970's. These grave stones were outside of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery but inside the park. It is also my understanding that some of the city employees that helped remove these gravestones still work for the city. Could you please clarify this information for me?

If the gravestones were moved could you please tell me where they were taken?

I'm also interested in whether these employees have been interviewed by the Office of Historic Alexandria about this work. If so, could I have a copy of the interview information? If not, would it be possible for the employees to be interviewed so that there would be historic documentation of this information in the city files.

Any assistance you can provide will be most appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Glenn

J. Glenn Eugster

FORT WARD PARK by J. Lance Mallamo September 21, 2009

City of Alexandria, Virginia
______________

MEMORANDUM


DATE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

TO: GLENN EUGSTER

FROM: LANCE MALLAMO, DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA

JAMES SPENGLER, DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION, PARKS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

SUBJECT: FORT WARD PARK


The responses to your email questions of September 15, 2009 are detailed below.

1. What is the status of the appointments to the City's Ad-Hoc Commission for Fort Ward Park? When is the group likely to be appointed? When is it likely to meet?

The Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group (Ad Hoc SAG) will be appointed by the City Manager for a duration of one year. The Parks Commission has recommended three people, Historic Alexandria Resources Commission three people, and the Environmental Policy Commission one member. All these recommendations are with the City Manager. Positions for the two at-large members, and one member living within a one-mile radius of the park, are currently being advertised through the Office of Citizen’s Assistance.

Timing of the appointments are up to the City Manager but should be made within the next month. The Ad Hoc SAG will determine their meeting schedule. The role of the Ad Hoc SAG is to provide advice to RPCA and OHA on overall operation of the park.

2. What plans are being considered for Fort Ward Park as part of the City's Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration? When will the City's leadership group meet next? How does this group relate to the Ad-Hoc Commission?

The Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC) has set Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 9:00 am for the new date for the Civil War Sesquicentennial community planning meeting that was postponed from August 29. Although HARC is considering a number of reenactment events, exhibits, and public programs throughout the City associated with the 150th commemoration of the Civil War, no decisions have yet been made concerning new activities at Fort Ward Park and Museum during the 2011-2015 Sesquicentennial timeframe. HARC is the lead commission on the Sesquicentennial commemoration, and has recommended three members to the Ad Hoc SAG to the City Manager.

What is the status of the Fort Ward Park History Work Group? When is this group likely to meet? How does this group relate to the Ad-Hoc Commission?

The Fort Ward Park History Work Group will have its first meeting on Saturday, October 17 at 11:00 am at Fort Ward Park. At that time we will be reviewing the work plan for historic research and archaeological surveys proposed for Fort Ward over the next few years. We will also be sharing information documented by OHA over the past summer that has increased our understanding of the African American community that developed around the Civil War fortification after about 1870. It is our intent that information developed by the History Work Group will be shared with the Ad Hoc SAG on an ongoing basis to further assist understanding of the park’s historic and cultural resources, and to identify areas of sensitivity.

What is the schedule for the City's archaeology research in the park this year?

The Office of Historic Alexandria has prepared a draft scope of work for necessary historic research and archaeological surveys at Fort Ward Park, and will shortly request funding of $50,000 from funds already set aside by City Council in contingent reserve for this work. If approved, we expect that, while the research phase could begin this year, actual survey work would not take place until Spring 2010. However, we are currently exploring the use of radar technology to assist the effort to identify burial sites within the park, and intent a test of this technology this Fall to identify a “signature” of known and potential burial locations. If a potential burial site signature can be identified as similar to a known gravesite, that potential burial site would then be “ground truthed” by archaeologists to confirm the existence of a grave.

5. I understand that the Alexandria Parks, Recreation & Cultural Activities Department is scheduled for a National Park and Recreation Association accreditation review this fall. What opportunities are there for community input into this review?

The accreditation review was conducted in June of this year by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. RPCA received a favorable recommendation to receive an additional five year accreditation from CAPRA. There is not a process for citizen input by CAPRA as it is not a part of the review. A review focuses on meeting the standards set by CAPRA through documentation.

Community Comments by Alan Anderson April 14, 2009

From: alansanderson@comcast.net
To: "William Euille"
Cc: "Glenn Eugster"
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 9:56:09 AM
Subject: Fort Ward Park


Dear Mayor Euille:

The continued use of the maintenance facility in Fort Ward Park, one of the most historic locations in Alexandria, needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The desecration of African-American grave sites throughout the Park, and particularly those located below the maintenance yard, has been the subject of numerous community meetings with City personnel over many months, and is part of the on-going discussion with the City as to the appropriate use of this historic venue. While I know of the City's financial strictures brought about by the housing and financial crisis of the past years, I believe that the minimal funding requested to move the maintenance yard in the next fiscal year, in order to allow the appropriate archaeological studies to commence, is warranted. The future use of Fort Ward Park, to whatever extent it may be changed or modified, will undoubtedly have to include consideration for our predecessors who now lie beneath the Park's site.

I hope you will encourage Council to find the funding to allow this oversight to be corrected, and to begin bringing some dignity to our community in this matter. Thank you for your continued stewardship.

Alan Anderson

Alexandria Archaeological Commission Recommendations by Kathleen Pepper March 4, 2009

March 4, 2009



Laura Durham
Dept. of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
1108 Jefferson Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Dear Ms. Durham,

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission recommends that any renovation and improvement plans for Fort Ward Park include protecting, preserving, and interpreting the post-Civil War era African-American settlement and cemeteries throughout the park. Information and priorities associated with cultural resources and the memories of former residents should be developed and integrated into any Fort Ward plans. We further recommend that any plans be deferred until historical and archaeological research is completed and stewardship and interpretive plans are adopted that recognize the importance of the post-Civil War African Americans associated with this place.

“The Fort,” as this African-American community was known is one of the most significant places in Alexandria history and much of its cultural resources are still unexplored. On this site is buried Clara Adams, one of the founders of the Oakland Baptist Church who also provided the land for the creation of a one-room school for black children, which existed between approximately 1893 and 1926. Her gravestone is still visible in the City nursery. “The Fort” was home for Alexandria African-Americans, many of whom worked for the Virginia Theological Seminary. Those families were relocated when Fort Ward became an historical park, but some still remain in Alexandria. Their history is a part of Alexandria’s past that should be remembered and celebrated through interpretation of the area and stewardship of the cemetery where their families are buried.

At present, the known grave locations are not maintained in proper settings, and many more graves may be in the City maintenance yard, south of the Oakland Baptist Cemetery, and in other places throughout the park. These possible graves, as well as the other cultural resources associated with “The Fort’s” school/church, homes, gardens and landscapes should be identified through archaeological survey and studied through archival and oral history. We are concerned that the plant nursery, surrounding maintenance yard for trucks and equipment, concrete speed bumps, dumpsters, snow fences, and a pre-fabricated metal booth are not respectful and diminish the historical importance and character of the area.

As a community, we should ensure that all the graves will not be neglected, forgotten, and mistreated as did the Freedmen’s Cemetery. As a community, we should support the preservation, protection, and interpretation not only of the Civil War fort but also of the post-Civil War African-American settlement. These resources—properly identified and protected--present an opportunity to learn and reflect on the effect of the Civil War on Alexandria and its African-American citizens. For these reasons, the Alexandria Archaeological Commission believes that the Fort Ward renovation and improvement plan must include a stewardship plan for the graves and “The Fort” settlement.

Sincerely,

S. Kathleen Pepper, Chair
Alexandria Archaeological Commission

jeb
cc Lance Mallamo, Director, OHA
Pamela Cressey, City Archaeologist/Director, Alexandria Archaeology
Alexandria Archaeological Commission Members
Francine Bromberg, City Archaeologist

Fort Ward Museum Employee Honored by Northern Virginia Association for History by Alexandria eNews May 9, 2009

From: "Alexandria eNews"
To: "eNews Subscribers"
Sent: Saturday, May 9, 2009 3:59:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Fort Ward Museum Employee Honored by Northern Virginia Association for History

Fort Ward Museum Employee Receives History Award Civil War Historian Wally Owen Honored by Northern Virginia Organization On Saturday, May 2, the Northern Virginia Association for History presented Wally Owen, Assistant Director of Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, with the Joseph L. Harsh Award at a luncheon in Fairfax. The annual honor is named for the founding president of the Northern Virginia Association for History and former chair of history at George Mason University, and is presented in recognition of significant contributions to history and historic preservation.

A native Alexandrian, Wally Owen is a Civil War historian respected for his research, lectures and publications, including the book Mr. Lincoln’s Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington. Co-authored with B. Franklin Cooling, this book about the Union forts protecting the Federal capital during the Civil War is being republished with updated information later this year. He is also a member of the 1971 T.C. Williams High School State Championship football team made famous by the movie “Remember the Titans.” Owen’s specific expertise regarding the Defenses of Washington has greatly enhanced the preservation management and historical interpretation of these sites, in particular, Fort C.F. Smith and Fort Ethan Allen in Arlington, and Fort Ward in the West End of Alexandria. His expertise has been valuable working collaboratively with Washington area agencies and civic groups, the National Park Service, the Arlington Heritage Alliance, The Friends of Fort Ward, The Civil War Preservation Trust, Fairfax County Park Authority and groups devoted to preservation and promotion of other forts in this historic defense system. His professional experience includes curatorial work for the National Archives, and cultural assessment studies for Civil War sites throughout Northern Virginia. Owen has served as Assistant Director and Curator of Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site since 2002.

According to the Harsh Award citation, Owen is “a dedicated professional historian, assisting and accommodating his professional colleagues, researchers and communities in their work; and he has been constant and vigilant in the defense of historic resources when threatened with destruction.” To interview Wally Owen, please call Fort Ward Museum at 703.838.4848. ###

Complaint About Suspicious Visitors and Trash Dumping September 30, 2007

From: J11jb@aol.com
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2007 6:38:16 PM
Subject: Re: Marlboro Estates Alert! Suspicious VIsitors and Trash Dumping


Dear Glenn and Deborah,

We would be happy to sign the letter to the City. We too have been increasingly concerned about the state of the City's Ft. Ward Park enclosure. We live directly behind the "nursery" area (4016 Ellicott) and in full view of what has now become the City's parking lot for maintenance trucks and equipment and park debris.

Last year I contacted the supervisor, Roger Blakely about the eyesore this area had become. At that point we were not aware of the trash dumping area because of a fence the City had constructed perpendicular to the city's chain link fence or we would have mentioned that as well. He came to my house to view the site from my kitchen window and agreed to plant a screen of plants along an area that the city had mistakenly cut down ivy we'd planted to obstruct the view. Unfortunately these plants are lower than the fence and really do not good at preventing the view.

In addition, a few years ago the city placed rat traps near the park fence at our request and after no activity or sightings for a year did not continue to maintain them. Recently I had an exterminator come out for some general pest maintenance (termite control) and I had him check the rat traps. He noted rodent activity and suggested we contact the park to relocate the dump. I think the City has to be made aware of this illegal and destructive site and you have our full support as homeowners in this community to hold them accountable.

Most Sincerely,
Elizabeth Sullivan and John Kling

Property Line Issues by Dennis Carroll June 6, 2010

From: "Dennis Carroll"
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Sunday, June 6, 2010 1:17:21 PM
Subject: property line issues

Hi Glenn,

A few quick points:

(1): Sharon Annear came by and looked over the mess along the property line and in the buffer area. She said that she will strongly recommend removal and bagging of the pigweed and other weeds in the whole buffer area. She would also like to arrange a walk-through with property line residents and city officials.

(2) A Hispanic guy showed up yesterday (Saturday) and spent a few minutes mowing two swaths (about 4 feet wide) along the cyclone fence in back of my yard. It was absurd that he was not authorized to mow the whole buffer area. It would have taken him only a few more minutes and would have cost the city (figuring that the guy was probably being paid close to the minimum wage) next to nothing. Also, the mowing merely flattened many of the pigweeds instead of actually cutting them. As much as anything in the past 6 years, this business of mowing a swath instead of the whole buffer area has convinced me that we are dealing with city officials who go out of their way to be unresponsive and uncooperative. I am tempted to speak my mind at the upcoming meeting and say that I find their decisionmaking incredible and irrational.

(3) The swath along my fence made visible another unpleasant fact: bales of hay have been jammed against my fence where it joins Fulton's fence on the park side. Apparently, these were added to prevent erosion, but the net effect is to further impound the water in my yard. Now it can't flow into Fulton's yard and it can't even flow sideways into the park. I am going to check to see if the jammed-up water is weakening my corner fence post as a key support for the fence. I am also going to create at least a small channel through the hay in the near future.

(4) Regarding the "no mow" policy: Lynn and I have found 4 ticks on our Scottie and 3 on ourselves. These 7 ticks exceed by 6 the total number of ticks that we've encountered in the 6 years prior to the "no mow" policy.

(5) If nothing more is done to get rid of the pigweed mess in back, I'll be increasingly tempted to harvest another armful and bring them to the Mayor's office. Six years of this stupidity is long enough.

--Dennis

Storm Water Management Land for Marlboro Estates by Laura Durham February 19, 2009

From: "Laura Durham"
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:30:53 PM
Subject: Re: Last Night's Meeting

Thank you Glenn. It looks like we got a lot of good information and
feedback from the community last night, and look forward to another round
on March 4. The breakout groups you suggested were a great way to give
everyone a chance to participate. Right now we have all the sheets from
last night hung up to review. We will be documenting everything that's on
them, as well as taking photos for record keeping. While we're in the
process of doing this, you are more than welcome to come in and take
another look at them. Otherwise, I hope to have the information collated by
early next week and will forward it along to you then.

And regarding the parcel we spoke about last night, here is some additional
information:

4301 B West Braddock Road

It looks like this 54,088 square foot parcel actually is part of the park.
It was dedicated to the City from the Marlboro Development Joint Venture in
1978. It's zoned R-8, while the rest of the park is zoned POS. I am going
to check around here internally to see if we use the parcel for anything,
as it looks like there may be some sort of tank located on the site. I will
get back to you with any additional information.

http://gis.alexandriava.gov/parcelviewernet/print2PDF.aspx

(Embedded image moved to file: pic01543.jpg)

Laura Durham
Open Space Coordinator
Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
City of Alexandria
703-838-5095, ext. 350

Fort Ward Park by Mary Koik February 23, 2009

From: "Mary Koik"
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 3:15:42 PM
Subject: RE: Fort Ward Park

Mr. Eugster,

First, let me say thank you for your longstanding appreciation of and commitment to Fort Ward. Active and engaged neighbors are the greatest ally a historic site can have, and all history lovers owe a debt of gratitude to people like you who watch over and safeguard these resources.

Fort Ward and the other Defenses of Washington sites face several unique challenges. Too many of them languish in obscurity, forgotten even by those who live in their shadow. At others, the urban environment has made it difficult to balance the sites’ historic nature with the constantly evolving needs of the community. Happily, recent years have seen a major increase in the level of public interest surrounding all of the forts, giving us reason to hope that the future will bring improved interpretation and appreciation.

Although I have worked with the museum and interpretive staff at Fort Ward on several occasions, I had not previously been aware of the conflict between historic and recreational uses you discussed in your email. While it is always heartening to see a community utilizing preserved historic land, it should be done in a sensitive and respectful manner. I’m truly sorry to hear that this might not always be the case at Fort Ward Park, and CWPT will certainly make further inquiries into the situation. Park management is not our typical purview, but we very much share your concerns about the appropriate use of historic land.

That Fort Ward has been preserved and interpreted by the City of Alexandria is a benefit to the entire region — the interpretive facilities there are easily the best of all the Defenses sites. Having worked with staff at the museum and historic site on several occasions, I know they take their educational responsibilities seriously, and I regret if that mission has ever been eclipsed by other ways in which the park is employed.

Thank you both for your ongoing support of Fort Ward and for bringing this matter to our attention.

Mary Goundrey Koik

Deputy Director of Communications
Civil War Preservation Trust
1331 H Street NW, Suite 1001
Washington, DC 20005
202-367-1861 ext. 231
mkoik@civilwar.org

Fort Ward Comments by J. Lance Mallamo April 20, 2009

From: "Lance Mallamo"
To: "glenn eugster"
Cc: "Tom and Jeanne fulton-oleary"
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 11:46:58 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: Fwd: Fort Ward Comments

Dear Glenn,

Thank you for your e-mail, and recent meeting with Tom Fulton, concerning Fort Ward Park. I enjoyed finally having a discussion with both of you you on this important issue, and Isalute you for the determination that you have demonstrated concerning the preservation of the park and its many resources.

I regret that you do not you feel that the action plan Kirk and I presented on March 18 did not reflect public comments received during the public process period. For your information, before that meeting Kirk and I reviewed the comments independently, and then we met to discuss and coordinate appropriate actions each of our departments could take in response. Although I don't claim to speak for RPCA, I do feel that the immediate actions proposed by OHA were a direct response to the cultural resource issues raised by the public. I was also pleased that the actions proposed by RCPA for the National Register listed portion of the park were largely consistent with the preservation/protection concerns of OHA. Also, we are now in the process of implementing several of OHA's initiatives, including setting up the Fort Ward Stewards/Stakeholders meeting. I look forward to working with Tom and yourself on these new projects, and will take you up on your offer for assistance shortly.

You should be able to download all public comments received on the RCPA website for Fort Ward Park. If you can't locate them let me know and I'll ask Laura Durham to forward them on to you.

I look forward to meeting with you again soon.

Best regards,

J. Lance Mallamo, Director
Office of Historic Alexandria
220 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2521
lance.mallamo@alexandriava.gov
Phone- 703-838-4554
Fax-703-838-6451
Cell-703-926-1904

Fort Ward Comments by David Cavanaugh March 2009

Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
1108 Jefferson St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Attn: Laura Durham

Dear Ms. Durham

The March 18, 2009 meeting went along way to alleviate some of the citizen concerns regarding proposed changes to the historic Fort Ward Park.
At the meeting, Kirk Kincannon, Director, Department of Recreation and Parks and Cultural Activities and Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria provided assurances that nothing would be done at the park to disturb known grave sites.

However, the draft Action Plan presented at the meeting was a list of “possible immediate solutions”, with no clear plan or commitments addressing citizen concerns. The PowerPoint presentation left many questions unanswered making it difficult to provide constructive comments. The Department Directors should come forward with firm budget and policy commitments that implement a plan protecting the park and ensuring it will be ready for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

One slide provided only a glimpse of what may be considered an “Action Plan”.
“Possible Immediate Actions” (Power Point Slide)
Staff/community working groups.

Questions: Who would establish the groups? What would be their responsibility? Would an ad hoc group suffice?

Phased plan for relocation of maintenance facility.
Questions: Again who would develop plan? What would be the conditions for evaluating a reasonable timetable for removal of the maintenance yard and restoring the area to the park?

Community notification of park and nursery operations.
Questions: Who would provide notification? Does this infer consultation with neighborhood groups? Does notification occur before or after a decision is made?

Two week moratorium on rentals, with longer term reductions in site availability.
Questions: What purpose does a two week moratorium on rentals serve? What other measures will be implemented immediately to prevent overcrowding, unacceptable noise levels and alcohol consumption in the park.

Controlled access available for grave sites.
Questions: Does this infer the maintenance yard will not be moved anytime soon? Does it also mean the gravesites in the maintenance yard will be excluded from historic interpretation of the African American experience? Is a maintenance yard on a historic area of the park with graves an appropriate use of park land?

Signage and enforcement of “no alcohol” and “no amplified noise” without permit policies.
Questions: When will RPCA adopt, implement and enforce provisions prohibiting no alcohol and no amplified noise? Under what circumstances would RPCA permit alcohol and amplified noise?

Early April walking tours w/working group and public.
Questions: Is a walking tour the only acceptable method for recognizing the African American contribution to the Civil War period? Who would be the lead on developing the walking tour? Would the walking tour be incorporated into the historic interpretation of events at Fort Ward during and immediately after the Civil War? How can a meaningful walking tour be developed when the location of the school and the gravesites are behind locked chain linked fences?

Although the presentation was well received, it failed to outline a meaningful process to protect resources and mitigate problems identified by citizens.

Much of information regarding an African American School, the Clara Adams gravesite and other burials was available to the City when the Park was first developed. Regretfully, this period of in-action and disregard for the African-American experience during and after the Civil War makes it more compelling that the City take action now, not later.

Under the circumstances I suggest a process and a plan to develop interim guidance for managing the park and develop a more diverse interpretation of historic events in time for the Civil War Sesquicentennial. This plan integrates park maintenance, operation, resource protection and a more inclusive interpretation of history at the park.

City staff is in a difficult position responding to public pressures and attempting to balance the changing needs of the community. Your success and our success is dependent on establishing trust relationships, working together towards consensus, and groups being receptive to thoughtful comments and suggestions regarding management of public resources. Public support of decisions regarding use of public historic parks can reduce maintenance, operations and resource protection costs.

I recognize this is a busy time for City staff. However, citizens have rallied and provided responses to requests for comments and suggestions regarding management and use of the park. It is my hope that all interested parties can sit down together and collectively work through the various issues identified at the public meetings.

Sincerely,

Dave Cavanaugh

Action Plan

Goal: To get the Park ready for the Sesquicentennial in 2011.

Historic and Cultural Uses

Identify Lance Mallamo, Director of Office Historic Alexandria, as the lead management official for managing the historical and archaeology resources at the Fort Ward Museum and Park.

Allow creation of an ad hoc citizens group to work with the museum and archaeology staffs on planning, research and development projects.
Complete a literature search of records identifying the location of early building sites, roads, and known grave sites.

Initiate preliminary development and funding for archaeological studies to delineate known home and grave sites.

Prepare a stewardship plan that protects and identifies important historic resources.
Develop a historically interesting interpretive plan for Fort Ward that incorporates the African American experience into the current interpretation of events at the Fort.

Implement a communications plan for visitors using a variety of tools, e.g., maps, brochures, video, signs and podcasts.

Remove the maintenance yard and return the land and historic areas to the park.
Complete oral histories; Elizabeth Douglas, William Jackson, and Mr. Randall.

Park Operations, Maintenance, Resource Protection

Create an ad hoc advisory group to assist the Director RPCA and staff in developing a interim operation and maintenance plan. (Separate ad hoc group)

Establish working relationship between the ad hoc advisory committee and the Park and Recreation Commission to guide improvements to the park.

Identify a lead ad hoc group member to meet with Robert Powell every two weeks to monitor commitments for improving operation and management of the park. The goal is to identify potential problems and through collaboration and working with the Recreation and Park Commission find acceptable solutions.

Environmental and Natural Resources (Resource Protection)

Restore land in the maintenance yard to its natural condition.

Identify and take action to mitigate drainage problems associated with the current maintenance yard.

Develop a tree planting and protection plan for planting indigenous trees to the park.

Restore and maintain perennial plant beds along the circular walk/roadway.

Stewardship

Involve community organizations and groups in applying for grants, planning fund raising events, organizing community service activities to protect and maintain the park for future generations.

Identify opportunities for volunteers in operation, maintenance and beautification of the park.

Coordinate the location, size, display and number of signs in the park.

Ensure the circular walk/roadway and rest room facilities are compliant with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Community Comments by Steven Doulis March 17, 2009

Steven C. Doulis, AIA, Architect
4007 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
703.671.7424
sdoulis@comcast.net
steve_doulis@nps.gov

March 17, 2009



Dear Mayor Euille, Vice Mayor Pepper, Councilmen Gaines, Krupicka, Lovain,
Smedberg and Wilson, City Manager, Staff of the Alexandria Recreation,
Parks, and Cultural Activities, and Fellow Alexandrians:

I appreciate this opportunity to provide public comment concerning the City's plans at Fort Ward Park. I echo many of the sentiments of people like me, and appreciate their research to document and highlight many of the historical aspects of the Park which have long been unrecognized.

Alexandria, rich in her history, is what attracted my wife, Sophia and I to move to Marlboro Estates in 1991, (re)establish roots and raise our children in this great City. Sophia, being a native Alexandrian and former President of the Alexandria Dental Society, has strong ties both personally and professionally to the many people and places that make this City so unique. Our catharsis with Fort Ward Park, its environs and our neighbors are thus equally strong as you might imagine.

I have had the opportunity to work with the National Park Service (NPS) over the past 26 years. The NPS mission to "preserve and protect our natural and cultural resources while providing facilities for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations" has a shared meaning in the context of our City and Regional Parks, particularly where planning remains to be done. Fort Ward is no exception as the challenge to balance protection of resources and provide facilities is a formidable one. Due process in my capacity with NPS has necessitated project presentations for park planning and development before the National Capital Planning Commission, the Washington Commission of Fine Arts, the Corps of Engineers, House and Senate subcommittees, as well as state and local agencies and Friends' groups. In that public service work, transparency and accountability throughout the planning and development process have been cornerstones of successful project implementation. It was disheartening to learn that these things were not happening all along for Fort Ward Park.

I am not writing in an official capacity but as a concerned citizen with something to offer in support of a proactive process to preserve and protect the Fort’s extant and yet undiscovered features.


March 17, 2009 - Doulis Letter

It is no secret that the Park Service and the City share many common interests. Each body has had a long history of cooperation with citizens and partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource stewardship. Therefore, Ft. Ward Park, a National Register property, is "an opportunity in our own backyard" to demonstrate that type of cooperation through due process, and due diligence. Through development of the October 2008 plan without much-needed public input, cooperation is unfortunately something that has been exposed as lacking until recently. Fort Ward Park, and her sister Fort Circle Parks throughout the District, Virginia and Maryland, deserve nothing less.

We are fortunate that the overwhelming majority of the City's residents who have gone public on this issue have embraced the protection and preservation of the Park, with comments expressed in phone calls, emails, memoranda and throughout deliberations at public meetings. It should be clear to all by now that this is more than just about public permits, decibel levels of amplified music, property values, ignored gravesites, tramped archeological sites, trash, alcohol, drugs, and law enforcement. While all of these issues and others remain extremely important to all of us, a Master Plan for short- and long-term use of the Park is what is desperately needed.

Perhaps the process begins with a detailed survey of the Park, its boundaries, topography, salient features and a first-phase archeological study. While budget cuts are a reality, this is not about what the City cannot afford to do, but rather, what we cannot afford to let happen! The toll of unplanned development and uncontrolled "site improvements" would result not only in irreversible damage to the site and heritage resources, but also represent a disconnection with the community at-large.

We have placed our trust in you, our elected officials and park managers to do the right thing, which we trust you will. To that end, I thank you as a fellow public steward, in advance, for working closely with all stakeholders to effect a long-term solution for Ft. Ward Park. Ideally, this entails a solution that protects and celebrates the legacy of the Fort's place during the Civil War, of a culturally diverse community, and of affording future generations the opportunity to experience Fort Ward Park unimpaired.

Sincerely,

 
/s/

Steven C. Doulis, AIA  
Architect / Sr. Project Manager                                     
National Park Service
National Capital Region
Washington, DC

Community Comments by Seminary Hill Association, Inc. March 15, 2009

SEMINARY HILL ASSOCIATION, INC.
4009 North Garland Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
March 15, 2009
VIA E-MAIL

Mr. Kirk Kincannon
Director, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
1108 Jefferson Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Dear Mr. Kincannon:

I am writing to provide comments on behalf of the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. (Seminary Hill) regarding Fort Ward Park (the Park). While we will continue to press for better communications from the City regarding all meetings, policies, and planning efforts involving the Park, our most immediate concerns are as follows:

Management of park uses: Immediate steps must be taken to prevent the overuse and abuses of the Park that have occurred over recent years, most notably the excessive crowds, noise, trash, and alcohol consumption that occurred on Labor Day Weekend of 2007 and 2008. These situations must not be allowed to recur in the future, starting this Spring and Summer. Seminary Hill has been waiting since November 5, 2008 (when you, Pat Lidy and I met in your office to discuss Seminary Hill’s concerns regarding Fort Ward Park) to see a concrete crowd control plan to prevent such situations. I would like to set a meeting with you and Captain Hassan Aden of the Alexandria City Police Department sometime in April to discuss this.

Amplified sound: Seminary Hill supports establishing a policy prohibiting amplification of any sound—music, voice, etc.—in the Park, with the exception of City-sponsored activities in the Amphitheater.

Alcohol use: Seminary Hill supports establishing a policy prohibiting alcohol use in the Park, with the exception of City-sponsored events.
Protection of grave sites: The deterioration of grave sites in the Park is deplorable. Immediate action should be taken to provide at least some minimal protection of these sites, and the identification and protection of other possible unmarked grave sites must be a top priority.

Budget: With the exception of the protection requested above for the grave sites, all spending under the current CIP budget should cease and desist until the public has an opportunity to comment on the forthcoming draft action plan and a new, approved Park plan is in place.

Thank you for your consideration.



Sincerely,

Joanne Lepanto
President

cc: Jim Hartmann, City Manager

Laura Durham, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

Seminary Hill Association, Inc. Board of Directors

Captain Hassan Aden, ACPD

Susan Cumbey, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Walton Owen, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

William Schreiner, Friends of Fort Ward Park

Adrienne T. Washington

RESOLUTION REGARDING FUTURE USES OF FORT WARD PARK by Friends of Fort Ward March 12, 2009

RESOLUTION REGARDING FUTURE USES OF FORT WARD PARK

Fort Ward, located in the City of Alexandria, was constructed in 1861 by Union forces in the defense of Washington, D.C. at the outset of the American Civil War. The earthen fort, one of 68 constructed, served in defense of the Federal City until it abandonment in December 1865. The area, prior to 1861 was primarily rural, and due to its relatively higher elevation above the city, served as summer homes for such prominent Alexandria citizens as Cassius Lee, cousin of Robert E. Lee. After 1865 the grounds abutting the abandoned Fort provided homes for freed blacks. Known as “the Hill,” Fort Ward is the site of the Oakland Baptist Church cemetery, as well as other African American graves. It was the site of one of the earliest public schools for Black children, as well as a church. Therefore,

Whereas the City of Alexandria demonstrated foresight in initiating the acquisition of the land to assemble Fort Ward Park (the “Park”) in 1953, to protect it from potential development, and

Whereas the City of Alexandria restored the Northwest Bastion of the Fort to its 1864 appearance and continues to preserve the earthen walls of the Fort, and

Whereas the Park admirably served as Alexandria’s premier Civil War site during the Centennial anniversary of that War during the 1961 to 1965 period, and

Whereas with the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War fast approaching in 2011, wherein millions of Americans are expected to visit sites such as the Park to better understand their own past, and

Whereas according to the City of Alexandria’s own website, “Fort Ward has been cited as the best Civil War restoration/preservation project in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as the flagship of the Defenses of Washington,” and

Whereas due to its historical significance the City of Alexandria nominated the entire area of the Park to the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places in 1982 as a Historical Park, and the Park was so designated, THEREFORE,

Be it herein resolved that the Friends of Fort Ward encourages and requests the City of Alexandria and the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities to: 1) reconfirm the City's commitment to the historic preservation of this asset; 2) limit uses that compromise the integrity of the site and deter from its historic character, and carefully manage other uses; 3) remove the horticultural maintenance area from the Park to a more appropriate location in the City; 4) protect marked and unmarked graves, and 5) begin working now with the City Archeologist, the Office of Historic Alexandria, and community members from the Oakland Baptist Church and the Friends of Fort Ward to better understand the broader historic nature of the Park.

Dated March 12, 2009

Respectfully submitted to the City of Alexandria,

The Friends of Fort Ward, Alexandria, Virginia

Community Comments by Adrienne Terrell Washington March 2009

Adrienne T. Washington
3413 Woods Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22303
703-379-5253
(atwashin@aol.com)



March 10, 2009


Dear City Mayor, City Council Members, City Manager, City Staffers of the Alexandria Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, and Fellow Alexandrians:

When you walk in the gated Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery on the grounds of Ft. Ward Park today there is a headstone to the left that marks the Randall family plot; to the right is a headstone that marks the Terrell family plot. These names represent who I am, a fifth-generation Alexandrian, a family historian and a noted journalist, who is attempting to restore and record this 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. My maternal and paternal heritage is linked to the countless, nameless African Americans who lived on or near Ft. Ward and the Virginia Theological Seminary and Episcopal High School campuses before and after the Civil War into the mid-1960s until their descendants were relocated to Woods Avenue, Woods Place and elsewhere.

Nothing would honor these valiant citizens more than permanent markers to commemorate their community contributions and endeavors which includes building schools, churches and businesses that sustained not only their own families, but also these historic institutions for which Alexandria is known. However, today a number of their graves are unmarked throughout the Ft. Ward Park, primarily buried under the city recreation and parks department’s maintenance yard and nursery. This dishonorable situation must be remedied as soon as possible.

That is why I, as a descendant of African Americans, who lived and worked in the Ft. Ward and Virginia Theological Seminary communities and who founded the Oakland Baptist Church more than a century ago, wish to thank the City of Alexandria Recreation, Park, and Cultural Activities Department for the opportunity to comment on the proper future uses and projects we hope will maintain and preserve the historic significance of Ft. Ward. Several of my family members and others have attended the recent public meetings held and contributed to the community process of determining what’s best for the 32-acre historic site as the city moves forward into this century to “balance” its uses.

I understand and concur with the current environmental concerns, including overcrowding, loud noise and alcohol abuse, expressed by the Friends of Ft. Ward and the neighboring communities, such as the Seminary Hill Civic Association and the Seminary Civic Association on Woods Avenue and Woods Place, where many of the descendant families still reside.

It is my premiere desire and request that the long overlooked and neglected history of the African Americans, who worked the land, owned the land, buried on the land, and summarily displaced from the land, be restored, preserved and commemorated in a formal fashion, especially as we come upon the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. I have been voluntarily gathering oral histories from former residents, as well as old photographs and official documents (some already gathered by the city’s archeological department) to compile a more comprehensive written narrative.

My greatest fear is that the historic areas of the park, which contain marked and unmarked graves, including that of my great-great aunt, Clara Adams, and her husband, as well as my maternal grandparents, William and Bernie [McKnight] Terrell and my paternal relatives of the Randall family, will be further desecrated, and the valuable contributions of African-American slaves, contraband and freedman will be lost forever if overburdening recreational uses at Ft. Ward Park are expanded before mandatory archeological and historical studies are conducted and completed.

As discussed during the recreation department planning meetings this year, I encourage:

Immediate removal of trash, debris, equipment, etc., from around the gravesites of Clara Adams and her husband, that are currently located in the city’s park and recreation maintenance yard and nursery on the east side of Ft. Ward Park.

Eventual relocation of the maintenance yard and nursery which we are certain is the location of other unmarked graves, a former school, church and homes of African Americans dating back before, during and after the Civil War.

Immediate fencing or some other protective barrier around the marked graves outside of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and near the maintenance lot.

Establishing a walking tour of the historic Ft. Ward African-American community after further historic and archeological study.

Inclusion of historic markers throughout the park that note significant points about the Ft. Ward African-American community.

Inclusion of an exhibit about the Ft. Ward/Seminary African-American community in the Ft. Ward Museum.

We offer our support and assistance in making improvement to Ft. Ward Park that “balance” it uses and that we believe will benefit all Alexandrians and future generations in knowing the full history of our great city.

Sincerely,

Adrienne Terrell Washington,
Ft. Ward/Seminary Descendent, Historian and Journalist

Comments on Fort Ward Park Operation and Facility Improvements by Jeanne O'Leary February 18, 2009

Comments on Fort Ward Park Operation and Facility Improvements
February 18, 2009

Fort Ward Park provides Alexandria with the great opportunity to highlight the unique spirit, character and historic identity of our City by preserving this Civil War defense of Washington DC and the sacred ground of freed Blacks who established a community here. The zest to modernize our local resources and provide recreation services to our current residents must not destroy this historic asset; it must be preserved for future generations. Fort Ward Park, unlike many other facilities maintained by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, is a unique cultural attribute, an irreplaceable heritage that makes Alexandria the historic destination that attracts residents and visitors to our city.

In 1961, Alexandria recognized the value of this historic asset and began a professional reconstruction and preservation project to return the fort to its authentic Civil War era appearance. Indeed, the work was so successful that according to our City’s website, “Fort Ward has been cited as the best Civil War restoration/preservation project in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as the flagship of the Defenses of Washington.”

Therefore, the primary goal of this Fort Ward Park plan must be preservation of this historic resource. Although this 44 acre expanse of rare, open space is tantalizing to those Park Administrators eager for precious land to conduct West End park maintenance functions, such activities particularly the use of heavy vehicles and equipment over this land threaten to erode fragile embankments, jeopardize the health of tree roots, and create inappropriate noise and traffic. Ad hoc soil deposits and grading have led to water flow redirection and problem both within and adjacent to the Park. Lack of consistent policies regarding trash collection led to major health concerns for park neighbors in adjacent Marlboro Estates, a problem that has at least temporarily been resolved. Headstones outside the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery have been destroyed by careless disregard. The grave of one of our prominent former residents, Clara Adams now sits inside the maintenance area, fenced with numerous City vehicles parked around it—hardly respectful. The activities within the Arboretum, now referred to as the Horticultural Center, are industrial in character and inconsistent with the contemplative, historic tenor of the environment.

The first priority of this plan should be the relocation of the horticultural activities to an alternate, industrial zoned area of the city, such as the area abutting Metro tracks at the end of South Quaker Lane.

The land currently occupied by the Horticultural Center should be restored to open area that can be maintained easily. To the extent possible, the graves of freed Blacks should be marked showing proper, respectful treatment of human remains.
Fort Ward is a wonderful laboratory for archeologists, and summer programs for students could be incorporated into the City’s summer recreation programs.

When funding permits, the City along with community organizations could create an interpretive trail, marked to indicate that this historic place tells a compelling story of freed Blacks immediately following their emancipation after the Civil War.

The plan should contain an inventory and assessment of the age and health of the park’s trees, and a prioritization of new plantings or replacements.

The Parks Department needs an engineered approach to address water flow to mitigate erosion damage.

The new noise policies for the Park have been welcome; signs in both English and Spanish posted near the entrance could help notify park users of these noise policies and of the prohibition of parking vehicles on grassy areas, use of moon bounces, dunk tanks, etc.

Rather than funding the building of new pavilions for party rentals, the Park would benefit from acquisition and placement of additional benches along tree-lined paths. To preserve the historic integrity of the park environment, development should focus on the needs of individual and small grouped pedestrians, rather than on large group events.

The City should complete identified repairs on deteriorating existing structures and bathrooms, bringing the park to a good state of maintenance.

With respect to recreation users, the City could direct groups seeking reservations to those parks most appropriate for specific uses: Fort Ward for historic re-enactments/Scottish day commemoration/small groups and weddings, Ben Brenman Park for jazz festivals, large group events, including political party meetings and City worker parties; and Chinquapin for recreation oriented events, such as end of school parties/soccer club events, etc.. The $300,000 proposed to install seven new park shelters in Fort Ward Park could be re-directed to Ben Brenman and Chinquapin that would host larger events.

The plan for this historic park should be developed not in isolation, but in cooperation with our city archeologists, Friends of Fort Ward, Seminary Hill Association, neighbors, and other interested citizen groups and educators.

While we recognize the challenge of the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities in balancing the needs of all of Alexandria’s citizens, it is incumbent on us to protect and cherish the few historic properties that remain in our densely populated landscape. The park must be treated with respect and maintenance activities located at the park that cause blight and deter from the peaceful beauty of the environment must be restricted. Fort Ward Park is a unique asset, a treasure for Alexandrians to restore and preserve.

Thank you for your consideration,

Jeanne M. O’Leary
4020 Ellicott St.
Alexandria, VA 22304
fulton-oleary@verizon.net

Coffee with the Cops to Reduce Crime in Marlboro Estates--DRAFT Outline 2008

Coffee with the Cops
Marlboro Estates Homeowners

May 12, 2008

Alexandria Police Department

Captain Hassan Aden (attending)
Officer L. Segura (attending)

Meeting Purpose
To discuss ongoing crime prevention efforts in Marlboro Estates.

To discuss ways that the Police Department and homeowners can prevent crime.

Draft Agenda
1. Welcome and introductions

2. Meeting Purpose

3. Brief Summary of Marlboro Estates Crime and Safety Issues

4. Possible Actions

5. Next Steps

Marlboro Estates Crime Summary

September 1, 2007 Attempted break-in at 4022 Ellicott and 4020 Ellicott Street, Alexandria, VA. Police called.

September 2, 2007 Public drug use at Fort Ward Park near Memorial Garden.

September 3, 2007 Councilman Gaines suggests home security assessments.

September 4, 2007 Steve Douliis suggests posting ten Neighborhood Watch sign at entry to neighborhood and along the park (see handout).

September 6, 2007 Officer Mitchell contacts Eugster re: homeowner security assessments.

September 16, 2007 Mail reported stolen from 2116 Marlboro leading to identity theft (one year prior).

September 17, 2007 Car stolen from 4027 Ellicott Street, Police called.
September 29, 2007 suspicious car and two occupants seen in the park maintenance yard. Police called. Auto was from outside the city. Auto photographed fleeing park.

October 1, 2007 Residents of Ft. Ward Place note that the gate to the park is no longer closed and that people are using the park at all hours of the day or night.

October 24, 2007 Career criminal reported by Parks Department manager in Ft. Ward Park.

November 18, 2007 Illegal dumping in maintenance yard reported by residents of 2018 Ellicott Street.

January 17, 2008 Burglary at North Early Street

April 16, 2008 Police Department investigates/ apprehends white construction van on Ellicott Street

Ongoing Peeping-Tom workers reported in maintenance yard by residents of 4018 Ellicott

January 6, 2008 suspicious auto driver in park reported by residents of 4020 Ellicott Street

January 28, 2008 SUV dumps garbage every morning at maintenance yard reported 4020 Ellicott Street

February 22, 2008 Public workers urinating in maintenance yard reported at 4020 Ellicott Street

Active and Engaged Neighbors

Chris Ullman 2212 Ft. Ward Park Place (attending)
Dennis Carroll (attending)
Judy Heffner 4034 Ellicott Street (attending)
Margaret McCormack (attending)
Cynthia Ingersoll (attending)
Glenn Eugster 4022 Ellicott Street (attending)

Bob Cavanaugh 4023 Ellicott Street (neighborhood watch)
Carol Maxwell (interest in attending meetings)
Cecile and Peter Phillips (neighborhood watch)
Steve Doulis 4007 Ellicott Street (interested in attending, neighborhood watch)
Thad Dilley 4014 Ellicott Street (interested in all activities)
Yumi and Kevin Belanga 4019 Ellicott St. (interested in attending)
Jay Moore 4015 Ellicott Street (interested in attending)
Tom Fulton 4020 Ellicott Street (neighborhood watch)
Barbara Anderson 4011 Ellicott Street (interested)
Ida Kelley 2116 Marlboro Dr. (interested in attending)
Kim (& Matt) Keough, 4008 Ellicott St. (interested in attending)

Statement before the Alexandria City Council by Dennis Carroll December 13, 2008

Statement before the Alexandria City Council
On Fort Ward Park by Dennis S. Carroll
December 13, 2008

My name is Dennis Carroll. My home at 4018 Ellicott Street is directly in back of Fort Ward Park’s maintenance facility. I’ve visited the park for 30 years and bought my home near Fort Ward four years ago because I loved the park.

Unfortunately, being close to the park has not been pleasant. From a ringside seat, I’ve discovered that the City has to balance the interests of homeowners near the park, the park’s recreational users, and the park’s preservation. In general, I think the City has failed to balance these interests.

The City deserves an F for its treatment of nearby homeowners until very recently. When I moved near the park, large trees belonging to the park leaned on and crushed my fence.  It took a year of phone calls to get the city to remove the trees. By that time, the fence was wrecked and cost $3,000 to replace.  The city also stuck two large dumpsters about 25 feet from my fence.  The dumpsters overflowed with trash and stunk so badly that my family could not enjoy our backyard.  Strangers working for the city stood on top of the dumpsters to mash down the garbage. They could stare over the top of my fence into my back windows at my children.  My protest got the city to wake up, remove the dumpsters, and work with me instead of against me.  It took three years to reach this point of elementary competence and courtesy. 

In balancing recreational uses with the concerns of homeowners, the City has again earned an F. My family has been annoyed repeatedly by the music of people partying for hours at a time. The thump--thump--thump of bass beats has reverberated across a thousand feet from near the amphitheater.  I’ve visited the park during these disco-style parties and seen hundreds of people centered on speakers six feet tall. The speakers are powered by SUVs or portable generators.  Frankly, my wife and I felt intimidated by one gigantic party of a thousand people as well as by the litter, drinking, and a large tour bus parked and idling on park grass for several hours.  Events on this scale and raucous music outrage residents as well as ruin the park in general.

The City has also earned an F for failing to preserve the park. The City needs to respect the park as the City’s Arboretum and a source of history. Having visited the park for 30 years, I’ve come to regret the lack of young trees and progressive deterioration.  The City needs to plant new trees and other vegetation to preserve the park’s beauty. Parallel to the neglect of the Arboretum is the neglect of the history. Both of these values have suffered from a lack of balance in managing the park.

What can be done to balance the interests of homeowners, recreational users, and the park’s preservation? One of the most important steps the city can take is a total prohibition of amplified music and alcohol by private parties. The city is considering such a prohibition and should implement it immediately.  Why would this make a huge difference? Total prohibition of amplified music and alcohol would be easily understandable and enforceable. It would motivate big, noisy crowds to conduct their parties elsewhere.  It would send a clear message to everybody that Fort Ward Park is NOT, repeat NOT, to be treated as a money-making discotheque. Instead, it would show the City’s support for Fort Ward as a beautiful place where smaller groups can enjoy its beauty free of alcohol and raucous music while respecting the rights of nearby homeowners.

Thank you for this chance to tell you my concerns.

Suspicious Visitors and Trash Dumping September 29, 2007

Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 1:05:32 PM
Subject: Marlboro Estates Alert! Suspicious VIsitors and Trash Dumping


Dear Neigbors,

Just before noon today I was walking in Fort Ward Park maintenance yard near the City trash dumpsters. I saw a private auto pull into the service road and drive into the maintenance yard near the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetary. When the driver saw me near the gate, with a camera in hand, he very quickly backed-up and left the area and the park.

I called Officer Oliver Dunn with the Alexandria Police Department and reported this suspcious behavior. Officer Dunn checked the car and the plates, which I photographed, and indicated that the car was from VA but registered outside of the City. Officer Dunn said he would check the area and try to increase patrols in the park.

I called Walter Powell, Ft. Ward Park Manager, but was unable to reach him.

The car I saw was a white Pontiac sedan, at least 5-6 years old. The driver was an African America male, mid-20's, with a goatee. He was wearing a doo-rag on his head. His passenger was an Asian woman of the same age or older. I don't believe that this man was the same person that tried to break into our home of September 1, 2007.

As I spoke to Officer Dunn I told him that I thought the couple might be coming to drop-off garbage in the City dumpsters or have other illegal interests. The park's maintenance yard is not locked and it is not uncommon for people to dump their waste in the City's receptacles. According to Officer Dunn Ft. Ward Park is not closed at 8:00 pm as the posted sign on Braddock Road indicates.

Please be on the look-out for the white Pontiac sedan and if you see it call the Alexandria Police Department and report it.

Also, as I was walking in the maintenance yard I noticed that the City is accepting all types of waste in two trash containers. One is a large open container typically used for construction debris. It was filled with park waste and what appeared to be residential or commerical waste. The other unit is a smaller trash receptacle that is designed to be enclosed. Unfortunately it was completely open and contained the same type of waste. It is unclear if either trash receptacle has the proper approvals to be located so close to our homes.

A number of homeowners have expressed ongoing concern about the City's trash receptacles. People are concerned with their close proximity to their homes, their acessibility to the public for illegal dumping, the poor condition of the maintenance yard, and the City's lack of responsiveness to any of our concerns. Please join me in co-signing a letter to the Mayor and City Council requesting that this trash receiving area be re-located to a non-residential area. Please let me know if you are willing to sign a letter.

If you would like to discuss either of these items with me please send a note or call me at 703-845-8947.

Thanks.

Glenn Eugster and Deborah Weatherly
4022 Ellicott Street

Invasion of My Family's Privacy from Dumpster Area by Dennis Carroll March 31, 2008

From: "Dennis Carroll"
To: "Glenn Eugster"
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 3:33:21 PM
Subject: Invasion of My Family's Privacy from Dumpster Area

Hi Glenn,

You asked me to put in writing my increasing concern about the invasion of my family's privacy from the almost daily occurrence of strangers standing on their trucks and on the dumpster when loading and off-loading trash. My main concern involves the direct view that strangers have of my family from on top of their trucks and the trash dumpster. They are able to look over the fence and directly down into my kitchen only 50 to 75 feet from where they are standing. A few days ago, four total strangers were atop the dumpster and staring at my 14-year-old daughter, who was wearing shorts and a T-shirt in our kitchen. They weren't working, they weren't shifting trash, they were just staring into our kitchen at my daughter. In the past two weeks, my 15-year-old son, who has been doing work in our back yard, has also commented that he felt angry at strangers staring at him from the top of the dumpter. Following Mr. Blakeley's revelation that some of these people are "work-release" prisoners makes the problem flat-out intimidating. If Mr. Blakeley or any Alexandria City official would like a daily parade of strangers, some of whom might be convicts, staring into their kitchen and back yard at their own children, then their insensitivity is extraordinary.

The problem also has an intimidating effect on my family in our study and our master bedroom. Once again, the people on the trucks and the dumpster are able to look straight across our fence into our upstairs rooms. Because these people are strangers rather than neighbors whom I trust, I have gotten into the habit of closing my study blinds even when I'm simply working at my desk. In brief, I'm feeling increasingly uncomfortable in my home because of the invasion of my family's privacy by strangers. Mr. Blakeley obviously feels that the simplest solution to his problems is to maintain an industrial-level dump site, but his solution creates more problems than he realizes for city residents such as my family.

In closing, let me add that my MAIN reason for moving from our previous house in Fairfax, where we had lived for 20 years, was to get away from its location on a busy street corner that diminished my family's privacy and safety. I cannot tell you how appalled I am to find that, after purchasing an expensive home and taking many steps to improve it, I'm confronted by a new situation that presents an even more direct invasion of my family's privacy and safety. As the summer approaches, there will be a constant flood of strangers on the dumpsters, and my family's privacy will be increasingly threatened. The net effect of this situation is that my wife and I have begun to consider moving once again and have been looking at other houses, where our right to privacy will be respected. It is intolerable to have strangers, who may be convicts, staring at my children from the top of a huge dumpster 50 to 75 feet away.

Glenn, please feel free to forward my letter to any city official who would understand the unplesantness of this situation and take steps to correct it. The solution is to remove the dumpster(s) and no longer use the area as an industrial park in an area where residents are raising children. Thanks again for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Dennis Carroll

City Agrees to Move Fort Ward Park Dumpsters March 14, 2009

From: "glenn eugster"
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 7:38:17 PM
Subject: City Agrees to Move Fort Ward Park Dumpsters


Yesterday Roger Blakeley, Deputy Director of the Alexandria Parks Department, Walter Powell, Park Manager of Fort Ward Park, and John Walsh, of the Fort Ward Park Nursery, met with Tom Fulton, Jeanne O'Leary, Margaret McCormick, Dennis Carroll, and me to continue discussions about the grabage and brush dumpsters in the Fort Ward Park maintenance area. At the meeting Mr. Blakeley told our group that the City, as a result of neighborhood concerns, has removed the large dumpster from Fort Ward Park. He also noted that the small dumpster will be moved from the maintenance yard to another location in the park somewhere near Braddock Road very soon.

Mr. Blakeley also told our group that the City will erect and eight-foot fence and plant more trees and shrubs along the poperty line between the maintenace yard and the residences the Ellicott Street residences. The City has also agreed to plant trees and shrubs along the fence of the Oakland Baptist Church cemetery.

Mr. Blakeley also noted that the City will attempt to improve it's management of group picnic activities within the park this summer through a permit system.

The news that Mr. Blakeley shared with our group comes after seven and one half months of discussions with the Mayor and City Council, Councilman Wilson and Krupicka's staff, the Parks Department Director, leaders of the Seminary Hill Association, managers of the VA Department of Solid Waste, the Trustees of the Oakland Baptist Church and neighborhood residents.

A meeting between our group and the City Parks Department will be held in mid-July to go over the progress being made to implement these committments.

Thank you for your interest, support and efforts to help protect the quality of our neighborhood and historic Fort Ward Park. Your participation and involvement made a difference.

Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street

Dumping by Dennis Carroll November 8, 2007

November 8, 2007
Hi Glenn,

Thanks for setting up the meeting the other night. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the city takes us seriously and that a further meeting to look more directly at the park-related problems can be arranged. You might pass along this anecdote about the dumpster to whoever you think appropriate.

This afternoon (Sunday), I heard a lot of banging outside, so I cracked the blinds in my study and saw that the illegal use of the dumpster is becoming more brazen and upscale. A guy with a sort of open-topped U-Haul attached to his Lexus was unloading a very large heap of left-over wood and other debris. He was also very nervous and on the lookout, because he flinched when he saw the blinds move. He flinched even more when I went to my bedroom with binoculars, put the blinds wide open, and started looking for his license plate. He flung the last heap of stuff in the dumpster, ducked for his Lexus, and peeled out in a hurry, whipping his U-Haul along.

I called the police (838-4444) to complain and report his license (8583CX). The officer on duty ran the plate while we talked. He said it belonged to someone in the city of Alexandria, so he also said the parks people would be in touch with the guy. (That remains to be seen.)

The story might be useful for underscoring how brazen it's become when a jerk feels free to show up in a high-end Lexus with a U-Haul to add his trash 75 feet from my back door. All I can say is damn such people anyway. It's a disgusting situation. Thanks for your great efforts. Keep me posted on what's happening.

Regards,

Dennis

Miscommunication on Fort Ward by J. Glenn Eugster May 7, 2009

Home | Your Views YOUR VIEWS | Miscommunication on Fort Ward Park
THURSDAY, MAY 7 2009
By J. Glenn Eugster

To the editor,

On Tuesday, April 14, 2009 I attended the City Council meeting and listened to the discussions related to the Council work session on Fort Ward Park. I also had the opportunity to review the April 14, 2009 correspondence from Kirk Kincannon and Lance Mallamo to Councilman Justin Wilson, and the April 14, 2009 correspondence from Judy Guse Noritake, on behalf of the Park and Recreation Commission, to the City Council. Although I appreciate the willingness to discuss Fort Ward Park, I found the oral and written presentations to Council inaccurate and misleading. For the public record, the following information should be noted and considered by Council as the city continues to work to address park problems and community concerns.

First, the statements and reports made at the work session indicating that the discovery of African American graves in the park was a recent development are inaccurate.

In fact, Clara Adams has been buried in the area that is now used for the maintenance yard since February 1, 1952. Neighbors and city employees indicate that workers removed gravestones from existing graves when the city decided to expand the maintenance and nursery area. In 1995, city workers interviewed Mr. Young, a former resident of the area, who indicated the approximate location of the graves in the maintenance yard. In April 2008, I contacted the managers of the Black History Museum, Recreation, Parks&Cultural Activities Department, Fort Ward Park Operations and Maintenance and the Office of Historic Alexandria about marked and unmarked graves and no action was taken until March.

Moreover, at the time that the city began the expansion of the maintenance yard there was no consideration given to the impact of this change on the marked graves within the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Alterations to the maintenance yard continue to create water runoff problems that are causing grave stones to erode and grave sites to subside.

Second, the statements and reports outlined a list of seven possible immediate actions to be taken to address identified issues and concerns. It was said and written that “the community members and stakeholders attending the March 18, 2009 meeting endorsed the action list.” It was also written that “there was general agreement in the community that these were appropriate steps to take at this time.” In fact, the list of immediate actions does not accurately reflect the input of the public meetings or the written comments the city received. For example, none of the findings that were presented at the March 18 public meeting were shared with the Council. Most importantly, the list of actions that was presented on March 18 were not endorsed by the community leaders or stakeholders. City officials asked the audience to comment on the outline that was presented to the public and said that the action plan would be revised based on the comments received following the meeting.

In addition, the city presenters at the March 18 public meeting said that they “were supportive of an agreement with the community” to determine “the mission and vision of Fort Ward Park.”

Finally, the oral statements and written reports presented at the Council work session regarding the use of alcohol in the park contradict recent actions the city Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department has taken to post regulations in Fort Ward Park.

Earlier this month, the city posted “Park Regulations & Rules” on information kiosks and metal signs throughout the park indicating that, “The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.” These notices and signs contradict the stated desire of the mayor to be able to have selected groups who use the park use alcohol. In response to the mayor’s interest, Mr. Kincannon said that his department is “looking at applications for the use of alcohol in the park on a permit-by-permit basis.”

Although Mr. Kinacannon concluded his remarks to the City Council by indicating that, “We are prepared for problems this year,” it does not appear that community concerns and problems at Fort Ward Park have been addressed. The input that community leaders and stakeholders have provided to the city can help solve the ongoing problems that have been brought to the city’s attention over the last 18 months. It will, however, take city action and commitment to follow through rather than the broad general statements communicated to the Council on April 14.

J. Glenn Eugster
Alexandria

Community Comments on Fort Ward by Steven Doulis March 17, 2009

Steven C. Doulis, AIA, Architect
4007 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
703.671.7424
sdoulis@comcast.net
steve_doulis@nps.gov

March 17, 2009

Dear Mayor Euille, Vice Mayor Pepper, Councilmen Gaines, Krupicka, Lovain,
Smedberg and Wilson, City Manager, Staff of the Alexandria Recreation,
Parks, and Cultural Activities, and Fellow Alexandrians:

I appreciate this opportunity to provide public comment concerning the City's plans at Fort Ward Park. I echo many of the sentiments of people like me, and appreciate their research to document and highlight many of the historical aspects of the Park which have long been unrecognized.

Alexandria, rich in her history, is what attracted my wife, Sophia and I to move to Marlboro Estates in 1991, (re)establish roots and raise our children in this great City. Sophia, being a native Alexandrian and former President of the Alexandria Dental Society, has strong ties both personally and professionally to the many people and places that make this City so unique. Our catharsis with Fort Ward Park, its environs and our neighbors are thus equally strong as you might imagine.

I have had the opportunity to work with the National Park Service (NPS) over the past 26 years. The NPS mission to "preserve and protect our natural and cultural resources while providing facilities for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations" has a shared meaning in the context of our City and Regional Parks, particularly where planning remains to be done. Fort Ward is no exception as the challenge to balance protection of resources and provide facilities is a formidable one. Due process in my capacity with NPS has necessitated project presentations for park planning and development before the National Capital Planning Commission, the Washington Commission of Fine Arts, the Corps of Engineers, House and Senate subcommittees, as well as state and local agencies and Friends' groups. In that public service work, transparency and accountability throughout the planning and development process have been cornerstones of successful project implementation. It was disheartening to learn that these things were not happening all along for Fort Ward Park.

I am not writing in an official capacity but as a concerned citizen with something to offer in support of a proactive process to preserve and protect the Fort’s extant and yet undiscovered features.


March 17, 2009 - Doulis Letter

It is no secret that the Park Service and the City share many common interests. Each body has had a long history of cooperation with citizens and partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource stewardship. Therefore, Ft. Ward Park, a National Register property, is "an opportunity in our own backyard" to demonstrate that type of cooperation through due process, and due diligence. Through development of the October 2008 plan without much-needed public input, cooperation is unfortunately something that has been exposed as lacking until recently. Fort Ward Park, and her sister Fort Circle Parks throughout the District, Virginia and Maryland, deserve nothing less.

We are fortunate that the overwhelming majority of the City's residents who have gone public on this issue have embraced the protection and preservation of the Park, with comments expressed in phone calls, emails, memoranda and throughout deliberations at public meetings. It should be clear to all by now that this is more than just about public permits, decibel levels of amplified music, property values, ignored gravesites, tramped archeological sites, trash, alcohol, drugs, and law enforcement. While all of these issues and others remain extremely important to all of us, a Master Plan for short- and long-term use of the Park is what is desperately needed.

Perhaps the process begins with a detailed survey of the Park, its boundaries, topography, salient features and a first-phase archeological study. While budget cuts are a reality, this is not about what the City cannot afford to do, but rather, what we cannot afford to let happen! The toll of unplanned development and uncontrolled "site improvements" would result not only in irreversible damage to the site and heritage resources, but also represent a disconnection with the community at-large.

We have placed our trust in you, our elected officials and park managers to do the right thing, which we trust you will. To that end, I thank you as a fellow public steward, in advance, for working closely with all stakeholders to effect a long-term solution for Ft. Ward Park. Ideally, this entails a solution that protects and celebrates the legacy of the Fort's place during the Civil War, of a culturally diverse community, and of affording future generations the opportunity to experience Fort Ward Park unimpaired.

Sincerely,
 
/s/

Steven C. Doulis, AIA  
Architect / Sr. Project Manager                                     
National Park Service
National Capital Region
Washington, DC

Public Hearing on the FY 2010 Operating Budget by J. Glenn Eugster April 13, 2009

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.

Community Comments on Fort Ward by Deborah Weatherly March 26, 2009

March 26, 2009
Dear Ms. Durham,

This is in response to the City’s presentation made on March 18, 2009 at TC Williams High School, regarding the protection, management and use of
Fort Ward Park, which has been nationally recognized for its significance to the Civil War. I appreciate the opportunity to address this issue once again.

As I mentioned in my previous comments, I have worked for the federal government for 31 years and I am all too familiar with the federal agencies at times making final decisions in advance of the official public comment period. Fortunately that practice occurs less often because of Congressional oversight. While the presentation on March18, 2009 by the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Department and the Office of Historic Alexandria finally set aside their plan for large events, which included additional paving of the historic site. The groups and individuals involved in these discussions over the last two years are concerned that the Recreation Department will merely set it aside their October 2008 plan only to bring it back at a later date. In fact, despite the promising words of mr. Kincannon and Mr. Mallamo funding for the 2008 plan's implementation is still contained in the City's budget.

I attended two of the three public meetings and I was impressed that more than 200 individuals participated in this opportunity for citizen input. After reviewing the meeting results it was clear that there was not one voice supporting the proposed plan that has been featured on the City’s website for six months.

The public coontinues to be mindful that the Parks Department was prepared to ram the project through regardless of the legitimate concerns expressed by many groups and individuals including adjacent homeowners, neighboring communities, Oakland Baptist Church members, Seminary Hil Association board members, the Alexandria Historic Society, the Alexandria Archeological Commission, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and others whose families lay buried on the site.

Only when the community interests joined together to fight this ill conceived plan did we get the City’s attention. For a relatively small town in the shadow of our Nation’s Capitol, this does not speak well of the City’s elected officials or city employees.

This historic park is not only about the African American graves but it is where slaves freed after the war lived, attended school, and worshiped. This situation reminds me of another instance where the history of people was being ignored. I remember vividly a letter sent to my subcommittee from Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. who was making an important but modest request. He asked for report language that instructed the U.S. National Park Service to include the entire story of the Civil War before, during and after in their visitor centers’ and interpretive displays as they needed to be replaced or upgraded. This is what is needed at Fort Ward Park – recognition that African Americans, freed by President Lincoln, lived, raised families and died free men and women within this historic area.

Despite Roger Blakely’s repeated statements about not being able to take action or cotinue services because of reductions to the City budget it seems contradictory that the City Manager does propose a future budget that will fund the additional paved parking areas, paved trails, new restrooms, and picnic pavilions. Rather tan fashion an action plan that helps to implement community supported actions, such as archeolgical studies and African American interpretive trails, the City continues to spend money on and push for the October 2008 plan.

I have spent most of my federal years working on budgets and I am aware that there are times when difficult decisions have to be made. However, the City has proposed to spend large sums of money on the 2008 plan. It would seem to be appropriate and justified to reallocate those funds to support the actions supported by the community.

Listed below are my recommendations for how to improve the Fort Ward Park Action Plan.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Immediately remove all evidence of the Maintenance Yard including stones, fencing, and other materials.
(we acknowledge the City removed many of the vehicles immediately after the public meeting on the 18th)

Immediately remove the area used by the arborist. (residents of the area remember what was envisioned at thisnursery site and the early days where beautiful gardens flourished within the park. However, users of the park have watched the dramatic deterioration the last 15 years. It is a maintenance area with trash and broken pots strewn everywhere, maintenance vehicles, broken machinery, tools and large compost piles and landscape debris. The relatives of Clara Adams, and the others that are buried in the area, say that others are buried in the area, their grave markers have been destroyed, and the environment is disrespectful to those buried there. Even as a working area, it always unclean and unkept. The arborist area should be moved to another location.

After everything is removed, seed and, or, sod the area completely. The City should insure that adequate funds are made available for appropriate archeology /historical survey’s and studies as well as interpretive markers for the grave sites, the overall park area and the Museum.

All of the interested parties would like a public acknowledgement and commitment from the Mayor and City Council that Fort Ward Park will be adequately funded, starting within 2010. The park should be transfered from the Recreation and Parks Department and made the responsibility of the Office of Historic Alexandria. The mowing and landscape maintenance could easily be contracted as is the case with many, many other city responsibilities.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the action plan for Fot Ward Park. I look forward to hearing more about the City's plan for protecting and managing this special area.


Sincerely,

Deborah A. Weatherly