Fort Ward Stormwater Problems: Comments to the Fort Ward Park Advisory Group May 13, 2010

Comments for Fort Ward Park Advisory Group

J. Glenn Eugster, 4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA. 22304

May 13, 2010

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON FORT WARD PARK.  I HOPE THAT THIS MEETING IS THE FIRST OF A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOUR GROUP WILL USE TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU ARE DEVELOPING FOR CITY ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS.

I LIVE NEXT TO FORT WARD PARK AND THE OAKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY.  I’M ON THE BOARD OF THE SEMINARY HILL ASSOCIATION AND A MEMBER OF THE FRIENDS OF FORT WARD.  I ALSO AUTHOR A NEWS LETTER CALLED THE FORT WARD OBSERVER.

I URGE YOU TO: 1) PLEASE BE SURE TO REVIEW THE COMMENTS SUBMITTED BY NANCY JENNINGS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SEMINARY HILL ASSOCIATION (SHA).  OUR BOARD WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SUPPORTERS OF THE CREATION OF THE FORT WARD HISTORICAL PARK AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE PROTECTION, USE AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AREA. (SHA COMMENTS ATTACHED)

THESE AND THE OTHER WRITTEN COMMENTS THAT WERE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY RECENTLY, AND LAST YEAR, NEED TO BE ASSESSED BY YOUR GROUP.  TO DATE NONE OF THE ADVISORY GROUP, OR FORT WARD HISTORY WORKGROUP MEETINGS, HAVE FOCUSED ON THIS INFORMATION.

2) THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE CITY MANAGERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, ADJACENT HOMEOWNERS, AND THE DESCENDANTS OF PEOPLE BURIED WITHIN THE PARK AND THE OAKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY, ABOUT WATER PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PARK.  I URGE YOU TO EXAMINE THE STORMWATER, EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CHANGES THE CITY HAS MADE TO THE PARK’S MAINTENANCE AND NURSERY AREA.  THESE CHANGES WERE MADE WITHOUT PERMITS AND PUBLIC REVIEW.  THE CHANGES, WHICH INCLUDED COMPACTION OF THE GROUND AS WELL AS THE FILLING AND REGRADING OF DRAINAGE SWALES, HAVE CAUSED:

* EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION OF GRAVES AND GRAVESTONES IN THE OAKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY;

* DESECRATION OF GRAVES IN THE PARK, OUTSIDE THE CEMETERY; AND

* INCREASED EROSION, RUNOFF AND PONDING WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE PARK.

I REQUEST YOU TO LOOK AT REMEDIAL ACTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN BY THE CITY TO RESTORE THIS AREA TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH CITY REGULATIONS.  RATHER THAN A COSTLY STUDY OF THE ENTIRE PARK, THIS “POSTAGE STAMP REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN” CAN PROTECT IMPORTANT HISTORIC VALUES AND ADDRESS LONG-STANDING RESIDENTIAL HOMEOWNER CONCERNS.

THANKS AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE COMMENTS.