Deadline for Comments on Water Runoff Impacting the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery

Deadline for Comments on Water Runoff Impacting the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery

On May 7, 2014 the City of Alexandria and their consultant held a public meeting to discuss the proposal to solve the long-standing problem of the water that runs off of Fort Ward Parkland into the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.  The report is on public review now.  However, the deadline for public comments is close-of-business May 21, 2014.

The City’s stormwater proposal outlines actions divert water from the park maintenance yard by adding soil and rock, to create a  “berm” next to the cemetery fence.  The Office of Historic Alexandria staff suggested that if graves are found in the berm area they would be covered to protect and honor them.

The berm adjacent to the cemetery will add soil rather than remove the soil and rock that was added to the maintenance yard when it was used for solid waste, vehicle storage and debris.  According to one of the City’s consultants, the gravel layer allows for the flow of water to move downhill and enter the cemetery.  Despite the public statements by City officials, there seems to be a reluctance to remove the fill which was placed in the maintenance yard illegally.

Another berm is proposed to be created along the road to the maintenance yard.  That proposed berm seems to suggest that the road to the maintenance yard will continue to be used by vehicles rather than removed.  You may recall that the road was placed on top of a grave and the road construction damaged the coffin and removed the human remains.

If you have an interest in this area please provide comments.  At a minimum the City needs to:

1. Remove all the soil and gravel fill that was placed in the maintenance yard;
2. Complete archaeological, cultural and historical research in the yard and under the maintenance yard road;
3. If graves are found, discuss their protection and recognition with the descendant family members;
4. Regrade the yard so that the area can be restored;
5. Provide some form of stormwater management that will prevent the surface and subsurface flow of water into the cemetery, including the entry area.

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services prepared plans for Fort Ward Park in 1979.  The plans were not sensitive to family graves within the park or the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, and problems have persisted since then.  The Fort Ward Park Draft Drainage Master Plan is a chance to fix the problems.  Let City officials know what you think by writing to:

Chuck Ziegler, Chair, Fort Ward Park and Museum Advisory Group.