If you have visited Fort Ward Park recently you probably noticed the arrival of the blooms on the Azaleas. The arrival of the Azaleas in Fort Ward is one of the many celebrations of Spring in Alexandria and it is no coincidence that it happens in the historic park.
In 1959 when City of Alexandria and community leaders were working together to create Fort Ward Historic Park Mrs. R.F.S. Starr and City Arborist Charles Hendryx collaborated on ideas for the development of the park. In a letter to Mrs. Starr Mr. Hendryx suggested that a portion of the park be planted with Azaleas and other flowering trees and shrubs as a way to benefit the business life of the City because of the visitors it would bring. On May 11 he wrote, “The local Kiwanis Club has indicated a desire to have some sort of festival in Alexandria to bring visitors to the City. It would be possible to use the Azalea planting portion of the park as the basis for an Azalea Festival”.
Over time, despite designation of the park as the City’s Arboretum, the maintenance of the Azalea planting has been minimal due to budget constraints and, or management ambivalence. Despite the neglect Fort Ward’s Azaleas still attract visitors with splashes of spectacular color and form.
The ongoing work of the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group is an opportunity to examine the original vision of the park and how the Azaleas plantings can be restored. The Museum’s Library is named after Mrs. Starr and a monument is dedicated to Mr. Hendryx in the park for their efforts to create and develop Fort Ward Park.
In 1959 when City of Alexandria and community leaders were working together to create Fort Ward Historic Park Mrs. R.F.S. Starr and City Arborist Charles Hendryx collaborated on ideas for the development of the park. In a letter to Mrs. Starr Mr. Hendryx suggested that a portion of the park be planted with Azaleas and other flowering trees and shrubs as a way to benefit the business life of the City because of the visitors it would bring. On May 11 he wrote, “The local Kiwanis Club has indicated a desire to have some sort of festival in Alexandria to bring visitors to the City. It would be possible to use the Azalea planting portion of the park as the basis for an Azalea Festival”.
Over time, despite designation of the park as the City’s Arboretum, the maintenance of the Azalea planting has been minimal due to budget constraints and, or management ambivalence. Despite the neglect Fort Ward’s Azaleas still attract visitors with splashes of spectacular color and form.
The ongoing work of the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group is an opportunity to examine the original vision of the park and how the Azaleas plantings can be restored. The Museum’s Library is named after Mrs. Starr and a monument is dedicated to Mr. Hendryx in the park for their efforts to create and develop Fort Ward Park.
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