Witness Trees in Fort Ward Park

From: "glenn eugster"
To: "Pamela Cressey" , "Francine Bromberg" , "Tom and Jeanne fulton-oleary" , "Dave Cavanaugh" , "Adrienne Washington"
Cc: "fterrell56" , "Lena Rainey"
Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2009 2:58:19 PM
Subject: Witness Trees in Fort Ward Park


Dear Pam, Fran, Tom, Dave, and Adrienne,



Over time we have talked about some of the very large old trees that are within Fort Ward Park. The largest of the trees, both within the "yard" as well as other portions of the park would seem to be old enough to have been around after the Civil War but before the creation of the park. These trees, which may be significant for biological reasons, may also have been witness to the events and lifestyle of the people that lived and worshiped in the park. The trees in fact are important historic features and can be used to help interpret what life may have been like for area residents.



Attached is information on a National Park Service's Witness Tree effort. Darwina Neal is a Landscape Architect who works at the National Capital Regional Office of NPS in the District of Columbia. She may also have information that can elaborate on this effort.



http://commonground.cr.nps.gov/02_newsCloseup.cfm?past_issue=Winter/Spring%202007

One excerpt of the NPS information includes:



One of the largest trees in Washington–joining a 105-foot-tall White Oak on Northampton Street and a 96-foot tulip poplar in Georgetown–is a massive 200-year-old white oak measuring 100 feet high and almost 150 inches around its trunk. While size and age would likely have won it a place in the program, it is in what was once the yard of abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

When Douglass lived at Cedar Hill, from 1877 to 1896, the tree was already an imposing presence, so much so that he included descriptions in his diaries. While it may seem ancient, the oak could well be in its prime. When it was examined last summer, it was healthy and disease free. A member of a slow-growing and long-lived species, this specimen could be around for another two centuries.



As we think of the cultural resources of Fort Ward perhaps we can be open to historic natural resources in a way that strenghtens our cultural resource protection and interpretation efforts.



Thanks.



Glenn



Glenn Eugster

703-845-8947

Fort Ward Park As a Endangered Historic Place by Robert Nieweg. April 23, 2009

From: "Robert Nieweg"
To: "glenn eugster" , atwashin@aol.com, awashington@washingtontimes.com, fulton-oleary@verizon.net
Cc: "Maureen Redington"
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:35:40 PM
Subject: RE: Fort Ward Park


Dear Glenn, Tom, and Adrienne:



I was surprised and disappointed on April 22nd to learn that you have decided not to nominate historic Fort Ward to Preservation Virginia's 2009 list of endangered historic places in Virginia. I thought we had set our way forward on April 9th, during our meeting at Fort Ward with the Civil War Preservation Trust, and that the nomination would be drafted by Adrienne and signed by her and other descendents of post-war Fort Ward residents.



Preservation Virginia's endangered places program is a ready and reliable way to elevate a local matter, like the City's proposal for Fort Ward, to become a statewide issue, and thereby increase much-needed public awareness, public support, and political pressure. (See the application at http://www.preservationvirginia.org/calendar/endangered_sites_2009.php.) Preservation Virginia, which was established in 1889, is a stable and respected organization -- and a good ally.



Listing on the nonprofit Preservation Virginia's endangered list, which is a public relations tool, would not jeopardize Fort Ward's listing on the National Register of Historic Places, as the leader of the Friends of Fort Ward mistakenly believes. (See attached for federal regulations regarding removal of properties from the National Register.) On the other hand, if implemented, the City's proposed physical and operational changes to Fort Ward could jeopardize the fort's listing on the National Register if Fort Ward were to "cease to meet the criteria for listing in the National Register because the qualities which caused it to be originally listed have been lost or destroyed[.]" 36 CFR 60.15(a)(1).



As I understand it, you and your allies have two important goals: You seek to stop the City's new initiative to transform the Park into a high-traffic picnic ground, a change which would adversely impact the historic site and its neighbors. You also seek to reverse 50 years of the City's mistreatment and neglect of highly sensitive historic and cultural resources within the Park which are associated with the local African-American community that was well-established at Fort Ward after the Civil War.



To accomplish your goals, I recommend that you and your allies now use the imminent threat of the adverse physical and operational changes by the City to the Park and Fort in order to raise awareness and galvanize support for the more complex and nuanced effort -- which the City and the Friends of Fort Ward must be persuaded to embrace -- to remedy the City's long-standing failure to preserve and interpret the full story of this historic place. If the imminent threat should pass before you secure a remedy for the City's entrenched policy toward African-American heritage at Fort Ward, an opportunity will have been missed.



Bill Schreiner, on behalf of the Friends of Fort Ward, wrote to you, Glenn, that Fort Ward is viewed as the "best preserved of all the Fort Circle defenses of Washington and the only one that is actively interpreted through a museum." With all respect to Mr. Schreiner and the Friends, it seems to me that Fort Ward is not a model of success when the City now plans to convert the Park and Fort into a corporate special event site and given that the City has never preserved and interpreted the fort’s full heritage.



There’s plenty of scholarship to establish the national importance of the Contraband and Freedmen's history the City of Alexandria has forgotten at Fort Ward:



“Beginning in 1861, and continuing throughout the war, whenever the proximity of Union troops made successful escape likely, slaves abandoned their plantations by the hundreds, even the thousands. The process of successful slave escapes began in Virginia, in Union-held territory across the Potomac from Washington and around Fort Monroe at the tip of the Virginia Peninsula in Hampton Roads. … The slaves, by running away in massive numbers, were freeing themselves.” -- Prof. Robert F. Engs, University of Pennsylvania



“From the first guns at Fort Sumter, the strongest advocates of emancipation were the slaves themselves. Lacking political standing or public voice, forbidden access to the weapons of war, slaves nevertheless tossed aside the grand pronouncements of Lincoln and other Union leaders that the sectional conflict was only a war for national unity. Instead, they moved directly to put their own freedom – and that of their posterity – atop the national agenda. Steadily, as opportunities arose, slaves risked all for freedom. By abandoning their owners, coming uninvited into Union lines, and offering their assistance as laborers, pioneers, guides, and spies, slaves forced federal soldiers at the lowest level to recognize their importance to the Union’s success. That understanding quickly travelled up the chain of command. In time, it became evident even to the most obtuse federal commanders that every slave who crossed into Union lines was a double gain: one subtracted from the Confederacy and one added to the Union. The slaves’ resolute determination to secure their liberty converted many white Americans to the view that the security of the Union depended upon the destruction of slavery. Eventually, this belief tipped the balance in favor of freedom, even among those who had little interest in the question of slavery and no love for black people. … No one was more responsible for smashing the shackles of slavery than the slaves themselves.” -- Prof. Ira Berlin, University of Maryland



I encourage you to reconsider your decision regarding the Preservation Virginia endangered list. The deadline is April 24th at 5 pm.



Thanks in advance for considering my views on this matter.



Best regards,



-- Rob



Rob Nieweg

Director and Regional Attorney

Southern Field Office

National Trust for Historic Preservation

1785 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036

202-588-6223 (fax)

202-588-6107 (phone)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: glenn_eugster@comcast.net [mailto:glenn_eugster@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 5:58 PM
To: Robert Nieweg
Subject: Fort Ward Park


Dear Rob,



I promised to get back to you to follow-up on our conversation earlier this month. We met this Saturday to discuss the application for Threatened Landmark status for Fort Ward Park and once again I met resistance from the people that I need to keep our effort alive. The leader of the Friends of Fort Ward Park feels that it would be harmful for us to pursue this designation at this time given some of the movement we are seeing in the City now. He also feels that we could jeopardize the park listing on the National Register of Historic Places. He is willing to reconsider this position in Feb. 2010 if the City doesn't solve some of these problems. Unfortunately a number of other key leaders echoed his feelings. Their support is crucial to anything we do and we must be unified in our decisions to succeed.



Recently we have seen the following take place in the City.



1. Kirk Kincannon the Recreation Dept. chief has left to work in CO. His deputy Roger Blakeley has been significant restrained due to some racist remarks he made in writing about the graves. Kirk is being replaced, temporarily by Rich Baier who is more wordly in the ways of working with the public. We are arranging a walk and talk tour with Rich as soon as next week.



2. The City has reorganized their management of Departments and they have placed the park portion of the Recreation Dept., along with transportation & Environment, Planning and Zonning, and the Office of Historic Alexandria, under the direction of the Deputy City Manager Mark Jinks. Tom Fulton and I met with Mr. Jinks and he was positive about the work that needs to be done. Mr. Jinks assured us that the entire maintenance yard would be emptied as soon as possible. He believes that Rich Baier will give these problems priority attention.



3. A number of people made another request to the Mayor and City Council to add money in the 2010 budget, which starts in July 2009, for Ft. Ward Park. We will know on Saturday what, if anything, they have done.



4. Congressman Moran has proposed $200,000 in federal funds for Ft. Ward Park as an earmark for 2010.



5. Several local papers have written about the graves and Lance Mallamo has been interviewed by reporters. The attention has been good so far.



When we met we sketched out the following draft action plan for the community effort. We would still like to work with you but the timing isn't right for the application we discussed. Please let me know if you might be able to participate in the ceremony we are organizing on Clara Adams birthday on June 2, 2009. Clara is the lady that is buried, with her husband, in the middle of the maintenance yard with the prominent tombstone.



Thanks again for your interest, expertise and assistance.



Sincerely,



Glenn



Glenn Eugster



DRAFT Tasks of Importance (Not in priority order)



1. Keep the pressure on the City to solve Fort Ward Park problems. If we don’t have progress by February 2010 we will apply to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for Threatened Landmarks Status.



2. The Friends of Fort Ward park will send a letter to the City expressing concern about the City’s management of the park. The letter will identify measures of progress that need to be accomplished.(Bill Schreiner)



a. Identify measures of progress to include in the Friends of Fort Ward Park letter to the City.(All send ideas to Bill)



3. Meet with Rich Baier of the City Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities Department. Meeting will include a walking tour of the park.(Glenn Eugster to initiate request)



4. Develop a Memorandum of Agreement between the Museum, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities Department and the Arboretum about the management and maintenance of Fort Ward Park. (???)



5. Develop a new mission statement for Fort Ward Park. (Susan Cumbey)



6. Respond to the April 14, 2009 reports to the City Council from Kincannon, Mallamo and Noritake. (All)



7. Hold a local coffee with the Fort Ward Park neighborhoods in the Fall to share information and strengthen communication (Dave Cavanaugh and Tom Fulton)



8. Submit nominations, including Elizabeth Douglas, Sgt. Young, etc., for the Ben Brenman Award (Dave Cavanaugh)



9. Pursue the proposed Save America’s Treasures Grant with Congressman Moran and the City Manager (Debbie Weatherly & Susan Cumbey)



10. Seek funds to provide the opportunity for Adrienne Washington to serve as a community liaison and researcher with the families that are related to people buried in Fort Ward Park (All)



11. Participate in the June 2, 2009 memorial event for Clara Adams (Glenn Eugster & Adrienne Washington)



12. Develop a proposal for a 2009 Fort Ward Family Reunion (All)

Reconnecting and Fort Ward Park. February 12, 2009

Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 1:49:09 PM
Subject: Reconnecting and Fort Ward Park


Dear Mr. Moe/Dick,



I hope this note finds you well. It's been awhile since we last talked or worked together on the Trust for the Mall or the Lonaconing Silk Mill. My wife Debbie Weatherly keeps me quite current about your continued good work and I'm hoping the Trust might be able to help one of the Fort Circle Parks in Alexandria, VA.



Deb and I live next to Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, VA. We are actively working with our community to support and assist with the protection and restoration of this wonderful 35-acre historic park which is owned and managed by the City of Alexandria, VA. The park includes Civil War earthen fortifications, the reproduction of period military buildings, and a community recreation-arboretum. In 1982 the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places.



Over the last several years the City has begun to manage the park as two distinct areas. One area is the fortification and Fort Ward Park Museum. The other area is the remainder of the park which surrounds the fort. Unfortunately the City's new approach to park management has resulted in creating a regional maintenance yard on top of and next to African-American graves; use of the park for a solid waste transfer station; and expansion of the community picnic facilities to provide for large crowds using alcohol and playing amplified music. These changes have gone on without public input or a special use permit. Moreover, although the park was created in the 1960's it does not have a master plan.



Our neighborhood has worked with the City Parks and Recreation Department, which is charged with managing the entire site, and the City Council to reverse some of these decisions. However, the City continues to propose an expansion of the park facilities for special "picnic" events. The last two summers we experienced groups of 1,000 people using the park in a way that is degrading the quality of this historical park and our adjacent neighborhoods. In response to our work the City is planning to hold two public meetings on February 18 and March 4, 2009 to share their plans for the park. We believe that these plans will continue to degrade the historic environment of the park and destroy additional African-American resources related to the time period following the military occupation of the site.



We need your help! Attached is a copy of the plan the City is proposing. Also included is a copy of the City's press release on the meetings. If there is any way you can help us save this part of our heritage we would be most appreciative.


Continued success in your work.



Sincerely,



Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

703-845-8947

glenn_eugster@comcast.net

Native Americans at Fort Ward Park by Stephen Potter. September 15, 2009.

From: "Stephen Potter"
To: "glenn eugster"
Cc: "Wanda Dowell"
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 11:51:05 AM
Subject: Re: Native Americans at Fort Ward Park

Hi Glenn,

Good to hear from you. And, Wanda, your memory is amazing! I didn't recall
talking "Indians" with you at Fort Ward--I do recall many conversations
relating to the "Late Unpleasantness" and all my ancestors who lived
nearby, but not prehistory. So, I'm glad you remembered.

My advice is very general. Because of the high ground and the nearness to
potable water (the various branches of Lucky Run), prehistoric
people--particularly during a time-period that archeologists call the Late
Archaic (c. 4000 - 1200 B.C.)--may have used the site of Fort Ward as a
temporary campsite, while accessing seasonal resources in the interior
uplands. This was a time before pottery, horticulture, or settled village
life. The people depended upon gathering and hunting. Their larger base
camps were most likely located adjacent to the flood plain of nearby Four
Mile Run and other major tributaries that feed into the Potomac. Where
there were outcrops of stone such as quartzite and quartz, they often mined
these locations for material to make their chipped stone projectiles from
(quartz for Halifax points, c. 3,500 B.C., and quartzite for Savannah River
points, c. 2,000 B.C.). So, evidence of Late Archaic peoples at Fort Ward
would probably take the form of flakes from re-sharpening stone tools,
tools broken in use and then discarded, and tools discarded because they
were worn-out and couldn't be re-used. Such upland sites are very shallow
and commonly they have been disturbed by agricultural activities, either
before or after the Civil War.

As I recall, Alexandria Archaeology, under the direction of Dr. Pamela
Cressey, conducted excavations at Fort Ward during the early 1990s. They
may have found prehistoric artifacts during the course of their work. I'd
contact Ms. Fran Bromberg (703-838-4399), of Alexandria Archaeology, who
did her Master's Thesis in prehistoric archeology. Perhaps she can check
the collection inventory to see if any prehistoric artifacts were found
and, if so, what type and age.

Wanda, I fondly remember my first meeting with you and Col. Mitchell at
Fort Ward, when I was a teenager. I hope all is well with you and yours.

My best to you both. I hope this is of some help.

Stephen

Fort Ward/ Marlboro Estate Neighborhood Crime Alert. September 4, 2007.

Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:50 PM
Subject: Marlboro Estate Neighborhood Crime Alert


Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to make you aware an attempted break-in that occurred at our home on Saturday September 1, 2007 at 4:00 pm. Attached is information on the incident that occurred at our home and other information that you might find informative.

______________________________________________________________________
Neighborhood Break-in Attempted



On Saturday September 1, 2007 at approximately 4:00 pm a young man attempted to break into our home at 4022 Ellicott Street in Alexandria, VA. Fortunately we were home, managed to interrupt his plans and get him to leave our property.



The attempted break-in took place yesterday afternoon. The man entered the back of our property, through our gate, and was seen as he walked across our deck. He first looked into our kitchen windows and then tried to open one of our back doors. Fortunately Deborah and I were home, saw him and confronted him. When asked what he was doing he mumbled something about “looking for Ron”. He calmly and quickly left our property through the back gate and walked into Ft. Ward Park moving in the direction of the foot bridge that leads to the children’s play area and the picnic grounds.



The man was an African-American male approximately 19 to 22 years old. He was 5’6” to 5’8” tall, solidly built and weighed about 185-195 pounds. He was wearing a black shirt, pants and do-rag (a piece of cloth) on his head.



We called the Alexandria Police Department and they responded within 15 minutes. The two police officers took a report, case # 07-143130, and searched the park for the man. At this time we do not believe they have found him.



Officer Oliver Dunn of the police department indicated that these types of daylight break-ins are the most common. He said that criminals like to break into homes during the day, especially during weekdays when many people are working.

__________________________________________________________



I learned on Sunday from talking with neighbors that there may have been another attempted break-in nearby over the weekend.



Sunday while I was placing two padlocks on our rear gate I noticed that there were two young men smoking marijuana near the overgrown memorial garden near the corner of the park next to our property and the Oakland Baptist Church cemetary. The unkept condition of that part of Ft. Ward Park seems to attract bad behavior and contributes to inappropriate activities. Drug use and sexual activities are not unusual occurances in this area.


In response to these events I contacted the Alexandria Police Department and the Mayor and City Council. I asked the Mayor and the City Council to: 1) Continue to make fighting this type of crime a priority in our city and neighborhood; 2) Increase police or park ranger patrols in the Ft. Ward Park area; and 3) improve the maintenance of Ft. Ward Park in the area adjacent to the Oakland Baptist Church cemetery and the memorial for a city worker.

As of today I have heard from Mayor Eullie who indicates "Fighting crime in our City is a top priority of mine, and we are committed to a policy of zero tolerance."

I have also heard from Councilman Justin Wilson who said he would contact theCity Parks and Recreation Department and see if they will do a better job of maintaining the portion of Fort Ward Park adjacent to our properties and provide periodic patrols so that the park doesn't contribute to the events of this past weekend.

I also heard from Councilman Ludwig Gaines who indicated that if any of us would like to have the Alexandria Police conduct a home assessment - pointing out how best to deter such criminals and prevent break-ins - he would gladly set it up.

I’m sorry to share this news with you but my wife and I were stunned when this happened to us and worried about other families that border, or are nearby to, Ft. Ward Park.

If you would like to talk about how we might organize ourselves to work more effectively with the City Council and the Police and Parks Departments please contact me at 703-845-8947 or by e-mail at: glenn_eugster@comcast.net


Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Special Use Permits for Fort Ward Park by Nathan Randall. August 6, 2009.

Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2009 2:27:12 PM
Subject: COA Contact Us: SUPs for Fort Ward Park


Dear Mr. Eugster:

Thank you for your email regarding Special Use Permits at Fort Ward Park. Based on the information I have available, only three SUPs have ever been filed for and approved at this site. The first is SUP0548, which was approved in 1963 for the museum and an adjacent caretaker's quarters. The second is SUP98-0114, which was approved in 1998 for three buildings adjacent to the already-existing amphitheater: a dressing room, a handicapped bathroom, and a storage building. The third and most recent is SUP2007-0040, which was approved in 2007 for new lights at the athletic fields.

I have attached to this email electronic files of all three SUPs. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Regards,
Nathan Randall
Urban Planner II

Fort Ward Park Goals by Nancy Jennings, Seminary Hill Association, Inc. December 3, 2008

Goal

Restore the grounds of Ft. Ward Park and protect it from over use and abuse because it is a national historic site and a much loved neighborhood park.

Problems in the Park

Noise on weekends from amplified music.
Noise during the week from maintenance vehicles.
Lack of enforcement of alcoholic beverage regulation results in unusual amounts of trash.
Lack of enforcement of the size of parties who reserve the picnic sites.
Over use of the site has killed the grass in many areas.
Overflow parking onto neighborhood streets.
Water backs up and floods the backyards of adjacent homes.
Lack of buffering—for sound or view—with homes now adjacent to the park (since the farm house was torn down).
Speed bumps are hazards to pedestrians and impossible for citizens in wheel chairs.
Loss of trees—about 40 in the past three years.
Neglect of the azalea bushes.
Visitors are offered only a small bit of the history of the parklands.
Unused cement stands for picnic tables don’t help watershed problems.

Problems with the City

City employees violate legal regulations when performing maintenance activities in the park
City employees do not know who is to enforce regulations in the park; for example, Recreation & Parks, Police, or the Museum.
City lacks a plan for the park—other than maintaining building—and has yet to define how this historic site is to be used.
City lacks a process for developing a plan for the park.
City lacks a way for citizens concerns to be addressed in the plan for the park.

Prepared by Nancy Jennings, Seminary Hill Association, Inc.
December 3, 2008

Reply to Meeting Request for Fort Ward Park Maintenance Plan by Dave Dexter. November 13, 2008.

From: "Dave Dexter"
To: "glenn eugster"
Cc: "Roger Blakeley" , "kaj vetter" , "rich brune"
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:18:12 PM
Subject: Fort Ward Park

Glenn -- This is in response to your request for a meeting with the District
III Commissioners and the homeowners of Marlboro Estates regarding Fort Ward
Park. I understand that you have met with Roger Blakeley of the Department
of Parks and Recreation and he has briefed you on the status of the
maintenance plans for the park.

As you know, the maintenance plans are being drafted and well underway and
the Department will make sure you know when they are ready for the public to
look at. The plans will be in draft format so the Department can take
additional comments from the public and hopefully incorporate all concerns
into the final plan.

The District III Commissioners will be available when the draft plan is
presented. I expect that this will be in early 2009 -- Dave

Research on Fort Ward Park Plans and Family Graves. October 9, 2009.

From: "glenn eugster"
To: "James Spengler" , "Lance Mallamo"
Sent: Friday, October 9, 2009 8:46:45 PM
Subject: Research on Fort Ward Park Plans and Family Graves

Dear Mr. Mallamo and Mr. Spengler,

I hope this note finds you well.

I noticed that the City Council is scheduled to consider approval of the use of the funds that were included in the City’s 2010 budget for archaeological research at Fort Ward Park at their October 13, 2009 meeting. I also understand that the Fort Ward Park History Group will have it’s first meeting on October 17, 2009. Both of these and other recent developments, including the process to appoint a Fort Ward Park Ad-hoc Advisory Committee, are viewed positively by many community leaders and residents. All of us appreciate your leadership and willingness to listen to citizen views.

Given your efforts I thought you should be aware that a group of us have continued to do research on Fort Ward Park and found important information about the initial design of the park and other possible family graves sites.

On various occasions we have been told by the City Recreation Department leadership that there is no master plan for Fort Ward Park and we should not expect one in the next ten years. After considerable research we have found the initial plan which was funded by City Council and prepared by the Recreation Department for the park. The plan set the city’s vision for the park, identified facilities and overall use areas, and areas to be left undeveloped. It also indicates the location of grave sites, outside of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, and plans for their protection and public access.

We have also found correspondence between private interests and city leaders that acknowledges family graves on property that was being acquired for the park.

This, and other information, contradicts statements that city officials have made about the past planning for the park and their knowledge of African American graves within this area.

Please let me know if you would like to meet with us to discuss our research.
Thanks again for your willingness to work with us.

Sincerely,

Glenn
　
J. Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, VA. 22304
703-845-8947
glenn_eugster@comcast.net




From: "glenn eugster"
To: "James Spengler" , "Lance Mallamo"
Sent: Friday, October 9, 2009 8:46:45 PM
Subject: Research on Fort Ward Park Plans and Family Graves


Dear Mr. Mallamo and Mr. Spengler,
I hope this note finds you well.
I noticed that the City Council is scheduled to consider approval of the use of the funds that were included in the City’s 2010 budget for archaeological research at Fort Ward Park at their October 13, 2009 meeting. I also understand that the Fort Ward Park History Group will have it’s first meeting on October 17, 2009. Both of these and other recent developments, including the process to appoint a Fort Ward Park Ad-hoc Advisory Committee, are viewed positively by many community leaders and residents. All of us appreciate your leadership and willingness to listen to citizen views.
Given your efforts I thought you should be aware that a group of us have continued to do research on Fort Ward Park and found important information about the initial design of the park and other possible family graves sites.
On various occasions we have been told by the City Recreation Department leadership that there is no master plan for Fort Ward Park and we should not expect one in the next ten years. After considerable research we have found the initial plan which was funded by City Council and prepared by the Recreation Department for the park. The plan set the city’s vision for the park, identified facilities and overall use areas, and areas to be left undeveloped. It also indicates the location of grave sites, outside of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, and plans for their protection and public access.
We have also found correspondence between private interests and city leaders that acknowledges family graves on property that was being acquired for the park.
This, and other information, contradicts statements that city officials have made about the past planning for the park and their knowledge of African American graves within this area.

Please let me know if you would like to meet with us to discuss our research.

Thanks again for your willingness to work with us.

Sincerely,

Glenn
　
J. Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, VA. 22304
703-845-8947
glenn_eugster@comcast.net

Fort Ward Park Ranger Corps by Judy Noritake. September 6, 2008.

From: "Judy Noritake"
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Saturday, September 6, 2008 11:01:38 AM
Subject: RE: Re: Ft .Ward Pk

Glenn:

These kinds of issues – violation of rules and regulations on a lot of counts – happen in all our parks pretty frequently. The only way to address them is strong enforcement and that means a corps of “rangers”. Even if there was not one for each of the larger parks, there should be rangers during peak use times that rove and deal with situations. Its the only thing that is going to solve the issues (dogs off leash, noise, and too many people). The Commission raised this as a part of the budget discussions last year and we will do it again this year. Kirk put in his budget proposal last year two positions. I don’t think he got them – but it’s a message we all need to keep making. There are more people coming and more people using these resources and that means everyone has to play by the rules. Its time for park rangers with real enforcement capabilities.

Judy

From: glenn_eugster@comcast.net [mailto:glenn_eugster@comcast.net]
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 10:51 AM
To: Judy Noritake
Subject: FW: Re: Ft .Ward Pk
FYI--We had 700-1,000 people attend an event at Ft. Ward Park last Sunday on a permit for 30-35 people. Quite a mess!
-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: Kirk.Kincannon@alexandriava.gov
To: plidy@comcast.net, glenn_eugster@comcast.net
Cc: Roger.Blakeley@alexandriava.gov, "William Chesley" , Leslie.Clark@alexandriava.gov
Subject: Re: Ft .Ward Pk
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:46:32 +0000

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

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

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

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



plidy@comcast.net

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

Subject
Ft .Ward Pk










Attend: Kirk Kincannon
Director Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

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

liquor bottles) in and around the Park and surrounding streets.

As Area 7 representative to Seminary Hills Association, I am concerned that

activities such as the one on Sunday continue to occur for the second year
in a
row, which can result in disruption in the our West End neighborhoods and
damage
to our Park.

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

I would appreciate your response to this concerns.


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

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

cc:Joanne Lapanto
Nancy Jennings

Reply to Petition Request to Mayor and City Council to Help Keep Marlboro Estate Safe and Healthy by Judy Noritake. October 25, 2007.

From: "Judy Noritake"
To: "glenn eugster"
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 10:08:03 AM
Subject: RE: Petition Request to Mayor and City Council to Help Keep Marlboro Estate Safe & Healthy

Glenn:

I do still chair the Park and Rec Commission and I will send this on to the rest of the Commission, as well as the director. You know for many years (18, I think) there was a commission member, Ken Foran, who really was the champion of that park. He moved on to one term on the School Board and then made an unsuccessful run for City Council. I understand that he is not well right now, but that aside, we now don’t get the regular updates on Ft. Ward we once had. Of course you do know the lower field is going to get artificial turf and lights in the coming year.
Looking into the future as a part of the budget discussions this fall the Director of the department has identified that some master planning is critically needed especially in the larger parks, followed by upgrades. Chinquapin Park and Fort Ward are at the top of the list. I do not know where those improvements and master planning efforts will lie in the time frame we have ahead. There are other critical CIP items that have been placed ahead of that, and I don’t even know how or when those CIP will be funded. The budget picture is a bit daunting right now, as I am sure you are aware. The one thing Kirk and I have talked about is that the time has come for the department to have a corps of rangers, perhaps not one for each park, but a group that gets around regularly to patrol, enforce, etc. Enforcement of all kinds of regulations and rules is getting more lax because there is no one to do it. Getting that started sooner rather than later may be a first step in addressing the concerns your letter lays out. I think Kirk may have put funds for that into his FY ’09 request sitting on the manager’s desk right now, but there currently are no park rangers, as hard as that is to believe.

While most of your neighbors that sign the letter are unfamiliar to me, certainly Alana and Barbara Anderson I quite well. It seems like you are on the right track, but see if you can give some credence to the park ranger idea in this budget cycle with the Mayor and Council Members.

As it’s been some time since I have heard from you I would like to know how you are doing, but also to ask how Debbie is. Though I see him often, I have been remiss in asking Neal about her progress. And speaking of people who have been physically challenged, how is Drew? I am going to make a note in calendar right now to touch base with him. He has always been such a fine guy.
As for myself, all is well. Running this firm is a challenge, but business is good. My daughter is about to graduate from William and Mary and wants to head to medical school up north (Vermont, if she can) after a year off. It’s a long road but she’ll get there. So I have no complaints. I hope you all are well.

Judy

From: glenn_eugster@comcast.net [mailto:glenn_eugster@comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 7:43 PM
To: Judy Noritake
Subject: FW: Petition Request to Mayor and City Council to Help Keep Marlboro Estate Safe & Healthy

Judy,

I hope you are doing well. If you are still on the Parks & Recreation Commission would you please share this with your fellow members please. Our neighborhood loves Fort Ward Park but we are having serious crime and safety problems in our neighborhood that are park-related. Please consider the recommendations that our residents are making to the Mayor and City Council.

Thanks.

Glenn Eugster

Reply to Comments from Marlboro Estate residents on Fort Ward Park use and management by Judy Noritake. January 11, 2009.

From: "Judy Noritake"
To: "glenn eugster" , "rich" , "Dave Dexter" , "kajv"
Cc: "Dennis and Lynn Carroll" , "Thad & Susie Dilley" , "Tom and Jeanne fulton-oleary" , "Kirk Kincannon" , "Kling and Sullivan, John and Elizabeth" , "Pat Lidy" , "Elizabeth Jones" , "Allen & Nancy Jennings" , "Margaret McCormack" , "Jeanne O'Leary" , "Debbie Weatherly"
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 8:58:14 PM
Subject: RE: Comments from Marlboro Estate residents on Fort Ward Park use and management

Glenn and neighbors:

Thanks for the note. I will ask Kirk’s assistant to get you a hard copy of the minutes from the September meeting as soon as possible and also to make sure that you have been added to the list of folks who get copies of all the material (I believe) that is sent to the Commission. Most of it is electronic and much of it, if not all, is posted on the City web site.

Please know that I sent the link for the video clip of the testimony you have referenced out to the Commission members several weeks ago and asked them all to take a look at it before our next meeting. Our agenda for the 15th does indeed have an update from the Director on what steps he is recommending to address the neighborhood concerns, to meet with the neighborhood and/or civic association(s) as well as gather input from the larger community on the assets and future use of the park. I suspect his recommendations will suggest a number of steps occurring over some period of time.

I think it is fair to say that the manner in which this park has been used in the past needs to change – on that we can all agree. The department, long with advice from the Commission, is trying to figure out how best to chart the course for that and your input is valuable. The Commission will be interested to hear what your discussions with Councilman Krupicka and the director have produced and I assume that will part of Kirk’s report. I am sorry that you will not be able to attend our meeting this week, but I suspect that Ft. Ward will appear regularly in our updates for some period of time and there will be future opportunity for discussion and a hearing(s). I will also forward this message on to the full Commission.

With kind regard,

Judy Noritake
Chair

From: glenn_eugster@comcast.net [mailto:glenn_eugster@comcast.net]
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 5:27 PM
To: Judy Noritake; rich; Dexter, Dave; kajv
Cc: Carroll, Dennis and Lynn; Dilley, Thad & Susie; fulton-oleary, Tom and Jeanne; Kincannon, Kirk; Kling and Sullivan, John and Elizabeth; Lidy, Pat; Jones, Elizabeth; Jennings, Allen & Nancy; McCormack, Margaret; O'Leary, Jeanne; Weatherly, Debbie
Subject: Comments from Marlboro Estate residents on Fort Ward Park use and management

Dear Judy, Kaj, Dave and Rich,

I hope the holidays treated you well and this note finds you enjoying the new year.
Recently I spoke with Kirk Kincannon and Councilman Krupicka. Both mentioned that the City was hoping to get recommendations from the Parks & Recreation Commission regarding the issues and concerns that area residents have expressed about the use and management of Fort Ward Park. Our residents continue to have an interest in discussing our concerns with your Commission and we hope that you will accept our earlier request, made in 2008, to discuss these issues with us at one of your meetings.

In the event that you plan to discuss the use and management of Fort Ward Park at your next meeting on January 15, 2009. We would like to be sure that you and all of the members of the Parks & Recreation Commission have had a chance to read and listen to the comments that four of us made, on behalf of the residents that live near Fort Ward Park, to the Alexandria City Council at their December 13, 2008 meeting. If you have not seen the video tape of those comments, some of which were submitted in writing, please go the City's website and open the results of the Council Meeting for that date.

The comments include remarks by Nancy Jones, Thad Diley, Tom Fulton and I. They include insights about the problems, the history of the park area, and recommendations that we would like the City to adopt. I hope you will find this information helpful as you consider your suggestions to the Parks Department and City Council.

Unfortunately key members of our leadership group will be unable to attend your meeting on January 15, 2009 due to a conflict with the Seminary Hill Association Board Meeting which also meets at that time. if it is possible for our leadership group to meet with your commission on another date we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about how we can work together to protect and use Fort Ward Park in a compatible way with the neighborhoods that surround it.

As the City and the stewards of Fort Ward Park make plans for the areas sesquicentennial we hope that some face-to-face dialogue and cooperation will resolve some of these outstanding problems and make the area and the support the best it can be for this local, regional, Commonwealth and national celebration.

Also, earlier I asked for copies of the minutes from your September 2008 Commission Meeting. Could you please provide me with that information?

Thank you.

Glenn Eugster
4022 Ellicott Street
Alexandria, VA.

Fort Ward Park Management Plan September 2008

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
and
PUBLIC HEARING
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
7:00 P.M.
PATRICK HENRY RECREATION CENTER
4643 TANEY AVENUE

III. UPDATE ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AT FORT WARD PARK – Roger Blakeley
· Follow-up Action: By the October meeting, an RPCA facilities plan will be available for Commissioners to review. Note: Civic associations will also vet the plan.

Fort Ward Park Management Plan November 2008

November 13, 2008
Glen,

Would you let me know some dates that would be good for you?
As Dave said, we hoped we could have good news, or at least any news about city plans for the park when we met. And at this point, the Parks and Rec Dept’s position is that they have started on a plan but are not at a point where they can share it. They believe they have heard your concerns and will be responding to them in this plan.

But if you want to have a discussion prior to the larger review of “the plan,” I would be happy to.
- kaj
[K. Vetter, Alexandria Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

Fort Ward Park Management Plan October 2008

October 10, 2008

Thanks Glenn. As I had indicated earlier, I believed we had an old master
plan of the Park but staff has not been able to locate the item. I have
asked them to look again in the archives of the City. A sI mentioned to
you at the Fort Ward Celebration the other week, I would like to meet with
you.. Are you available next week or the week after to meet one on one?

Kirk Kincannon, CPRP, Director
Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Alexandria, Virginia

Fort Ward Park Management Plan September 2008

September 3, 2008


Thanks for the inquiry Glenn. I have asked staff to research your request.
I vaguely remember seeing a plan when we collected all of the open space
data with the Open Space Committee that you were on. But that was very
dated, maybe from 60's era. At any rate I have asked park planning staff
to check on this and see if they can find it in the archives. I will keep
you posted on what we find next week.

Kirk Kincannon, CPRP, Director
Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

Fort Ward Park Management Plan July 2008

July 1, 2008 Meeting between Marlboro Estates Landowners & Alexandria Parks & Recreation Department

Attendees: Roger Blakeley, Steve Tompkins, John Walsh, and Walter Powell from the City of Alexandria, VA; Jeff Lane, Mary Beth Buchholz, Dennis Carroll, Glenn Eugster, Thad Dilley, Nancy Jennings, and Tom Fulton from Marlboro Estates.


Glenn asked Roger about the status of the park’s management/
master plan [ Note: It does not appear that the park has a plan for management or future park improvements]. Roger said that there will be a management plan and an opportunity for public input. Roger continued and said that by mid-month a Fort Ward Cost Center estimate will be developed(see the City Parks & Recreation website) which will then be followed by a park master plan. Roger said the master plan will be done soon and there will be a public meeting. Roger said that the schedule for the park master plan will depend on the City’s overall workload which is considerable. It may be months or years before the City gets to this task.

Initial Recommendations for Archaeology and History at Fort Ward Park by Pam Cressey. January 2011.

Initial Recommendations for Archaeology and History at Fort Ward Park
January 2011
Pamela J. Cressey, City Archaeologist

Although the Stage 1 archaeological investigation by the Ottery Group has not been completed in the park, I am preparing these recommendations at the request of the Advisory Group for consideration in their final report. All discussion below is based upon incomplete information without sufficient analysis. However, some general statements can be made at this time.

1. Usefulness of Ground Penetrating Radar in Identification of Graves

Archaeological work to date indicates that Ground-penetrating Radar (GPR) has some use for identifying graves at Fort Ward Park. While some graves have been identified through this method, other graves have not. To date, there is not a 1:1 correlation between GPR signatures and actual graves. More will be known after the Old Graveyard and Jackson Cemetery investigations are completed, but GPR appears to have mixed results. Many GPR signatures have not been associated with graves, and in some cases, more graves have been identified in the ground than signatures predicted. There may be future use for GPR in helping to identify the extent of the graves/boundaries of these cemeteries, but ground-truthing would also be needed to be assured that all graves are identified in a given area.

2. Old Graveyard

Given that the investigation demonstrated that there are more graves in the Old Graveyard than headstones and that these headstones are deteriorating, it is important to have a protection plan in place Consideration should be given to conducting more archaeological work to determine the boundaries of the Old Graveyard and historical research to understand how these graves are associated with the contiguous Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and whether individual or family names may be identified. The protection plan can include elements, such as, fencing around the Old Graveyard, interpretive signage, methods of conserving and protecting the historic markers, new markers to identify additional graves, memorial, etc.).

3. Maintenance Yard

Much of this area has been changed, and in the areas investigated, little remains of the historic soils. However, some artifacts and subsurface features, such as graves, trash pits, privies, wells, etc., could still be present in unexcavated areas particularly around the school/church/home and in the southern section. The investigation has located the graves of Clara and Robert Adams and revealed that her headstone had been resituated on newer fill soils but still aligned with a grave. No other graves were found, and no GPR signatures proved to be graves. However, only a limited part of the yard was investigated. Graves and other archaeological materials can still be present in untested areas. A small portion of the school/church/home foundation has been found. There may be more evidence in the western portion of this structure, but additional work is needed to make this determination. In some areas, of the yard deeper features may be present, such as the privy/trash pit discovered with early 20th century artifacts. Planning is needed to determine uses of the yard in the future, whether the fence should be removed, marking the other grave, memorials, etc. Any ground-disturbing work outside the investigated areas should have archaeological testing and monitoring built into the planning process of these projects.
4. Jackson Cemetery
The work has not been completed in this cemetery, however, some graves have already been identified. A protection plan is needed that can include: fencing, interpretive signage, markers for graves, erosion-control measures and additional research to identify individuals who may be buried here


5. Shorts Family Lot
Shovel test pits document that the lot does have some archaeological integrity and features may be found. The trenches called for as part of the investigation have not been conducted here yet. Recommendations await completion of the work.
6. General Recommendations
At this point in the process, the following needs for the preservation and interpretation of Fort Ward Park’s cultural resources can be outlined. The historical research should be conducted first. Completing the survey addressed in the second point is crucial to park planning and day-to-day management of ground-disturbing projects (tree planting, etc.) It should be noted that interpretive planning can be done throughout the following tasks and would greatly benefit the appreciation of African American history as well as the historic significance of the park as a whole. Public involvement should be a part of all these recommendations.
Complete documentary research and report with context to provide understanding of the history of those living/working in what is now the park and the development of the park within the larger Seminary neighborhood and place within American History

Archaeological Protection of Fort Ward Park: Conduct archaeological survey through shovel-testing across the rest of the park with the exception of the historic fort to identify areas with archaeological potential; Use metal-detection in selected areas across the park to find Civil War artifacts; Produce maps overlaying archaeological and metal-detection results on CAD & GIS-produced historic templates so that the archaeological information relates to families, buildings, landscape, roads, etc; Produce sensitivity maps of areas in the park which have archaeological/historical significance for park planning purposes; Prepare Protection Plan; Prepare recommendations for further archaeological study. .

Cemeteries and Graves: Identify boundaries through investigation beyond identified graves to locate additional graves; Produce protection plans and consider marking all graves; Produce interpretive plans; Implement such plans. Use appropriate methods for identifying other graves in areas noted in additional historical research and oral history.

Additional Archaeological Study: If there is interest in more information about the African American community, or others identified through survey measures, a research design can be prepared to more fully excavate the school/church/home area, features identified through this and future stages of archaeology, the Shorts Lot or other houses, outbuildings, etc.

All ground-disturbing actions should be reviewed for potential impact throughout the park. However, no additional archaeological work is needed before planning for projects to improve drainage. But archaeological review during this process will identify necessary excavation and monitoring needs based upon engineering solutions. After archaeological survey across the park, it may be possible to identify areas in which ground-disturbing actions can occur without review. However, close staff coordination will provide efficient methods of preservation and park improvements.

Continue to update the Cultural Resource Inventory and Protection plans as more information is acquired.

Produce Interpretive Plan to include themes, messages, and methods using different mediums; Update plan with new information and community interests.

Development and continuation of a public planning process for Descendent Family and community input on the above tasks.

Fort Ward Park Update on Community Meeting and City Findings & Recommendations. March 23, 2009.

Fort Ward Park Update
March 23, 2009
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

Fort Ward Park Community Meeting: City Presents Findings & Recommendations

On Wednesday night, March 18, 2009, Kirk Kincannon of the Alexandria Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities department, and Lance Mallamo of the Office of Historic Alexandria, presented the City’s findings and draft recommendation to more than 100 citizens at T.C. Williams High School. Using a Power Point Presentation and occasional technical assistance from City staff, Mr. Kincannon and Mallamo presented an overview of the verbal and written comments they have received during the public engagement process.

From the comments the City outlined “Possible Immediate Actions” to be taken to respond to the public comment process which closed on March 13, 2009. Short term actions were defined as up to 3 to 5 years. Long term actions were defined as over 5 years.

The 16 page presentation included one page of findings and one page of possible general immediate actions. The speakers verbal comments about the actions enhanced the brief text that was displayed and emphasized a number of points including:

* There is a whole other story at Fort Ward Park including African American and Native American history. The whole site [park] is historic.
* The City is working to relocate the maintenance yard and move vehicles off of grave sites in the nursery area. Stewardship plans will be developed by the City in the future.
* There are way too many picnics and vehicles at Ft. Ward Park.
* There will be controlled access to the graves within the maintenance yard and nursery area.
* Amplified music and alcohol will be controlled through permits and enforcement.

The presenters indicated that their intent was to seek input on the findings and possible immediate actions. The public may comment on this new information, which is on the City‘s website at: http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/recreation/info/FWPresentations3-18-09.pdf

The deadline for comments in Friday March 27, 2009. Neither speaker indicated what the process for future public involvement is. Kirk Kincannon indicated that he has accepted a job in Boulder, Colorado and will be leaving the City in April.