Runoff Continues to Baffle Recreation Department at Fort Ward

Runoff Continues to Baffle Recreation Department at Fort Ward

Part of the time and money being spent at Fort Ward Historic Park is intended to go to solving water runoff problems inside and outside the park.  The Advisory Group that the City created to help park managers recommended that the three primary departments who manage Fort Ward work closer together to integrate their actions.  Although some progress has been achieved in tackling other problems, the solutions to managing runoff continue to baffle park managers.  

As recently as last month the grassed slopes of Fort Ward continued to send storm water downhill toward the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, already eroding stream channels and playgrounds, and adjacent residential homes.

Over two years ago the Director of the Recreation Department James Spengler, in cooperation with the Advisory Group, made changes to the way grassed areas were being maintained in hopes of slowing down water runoff.  In a note to an adjacent neighbor Mr. Spengler wrote,  

“The mowing policy in the park was changed this spring prior to the mowing season. The main complaints/concerns I considered were park erosion, flooding and other drainage problems (brought by park neighbors). In considering a solution or improvement to those issue the only non-structural approach is management of the natural area - the park grounds. It is a common practice when resolving these issue to "naturalize" areas. This is particularly important in drainage ways as found in Ft. Ward.  I made two presentations to the SAG [Advisory Group], a presentation to the Park Commission and made it a point of a presentation to City Council. The pros and cons of the approach were outlined to each body. I know that some people would not like the look, it would take several season for a meadow to emerge but drainage improvement would be immediate. All of these things have happened. In the end it is what the public wants to see happen to balance esthetics versus drainage problems. The meadows will be mowed three times a year with the next mowing by November 12. Volunteers are collecting seeds from the beneficial prairie plants in this park and other locations as part of our meadow planting program. We will also plant more native grasses each year. This does save money in mowing costs and less environmental pollution. Less negative environmental impact is a policy of the City through the Eco-City initiative”.  

(From Jim Spengler, Director Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities September 28, 2010 to Jeff Lane)

Despite the well-intentioned efforts of the Recreation Department to slow down runoff, the grass has been left longer during the dry periods of the year and cut short during the wet periods.   Unfortunately water runoff continues to flood and erode graves, further erode stream channels toppling trees and washing soil into storm sewers, and flood adjacent private properties.   Further efforts to manage runoff at Fort Ward will require the park managers to work with city hydrologists, as well as consultants, to find ways to plan with nature.