Welcome to Historic Fort Ward Park, VIrginia

Old World for Alexandria's Waterfront. Washington Post. Thursday September 18, 1980.

Beatley Recalls Secret Sessions. The Gazette. Alexandria, Va. Undated.

Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery Area within and adjacent to Fort Ward Park, Va. 1962.

Union Fort Development Proposed in Alexandria, VA.

Society Urges City to Protect the Craven Home and Warming Hut at Fort Ward Park

Society Urges City to Protect the Craven Home and Warming Hut at Fort Ward Park

The Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendant Society, Inc. appointee to the Fort Ward Park Management Plan Implementation Committee has urged CIty of Alexandria Department heads and their staff to take actions to protect two fragile areas within Fort Ward Park. The remnants of the Craven home and the park's first greenhouse, known as the "warming hut", have been adversely impacted by park maintenance vehicle traffic. The Craven site is on the backside of the fort. The warming hut is behind the restroom/ park managers building.

Society representative J. Glenn Eugster verbally and in writing requested that these two sites be protected with some sort of emergency stabilization. Each area has the potential to be featured in the upcoming interpretative plan which J. Lance Mallamo of the Office of HIstoric Alexandria is developing.

The advisory committee meets Thursday evening to discuss this and other items of interest to the park.

J. Glenn Eugster

Fort Ward Observer.  Nov. 10, 2015

Charlie Kulp's Visit to Fort Ward on September 5, 2015

Charlie Kulp's Visit to Fort Ward on September 5, 2015

Randall Family and Ft. Ward And Seminary Descendants Society meeting 89-year-old Charlie Kulp, the Flying Farmer, who trained our Randall uncles to fly and get their licenses. His memory is sharp and he has a great sense of humor. His 90+ companion, Evelyn Marshall went in Navy in 1944 and is still working in customer service at the Manassas airfield near their home. Great day spent listening to their stories. And thanks to Alexandria City staffers Susan Cumbey and Fran Bromberg who continue to work with the Descendants Society to revive and preserve our history.
Adrienne Terrell Washington.

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Roots of Unrest CIty Departments Revert to Old Ways. November 11, 2014

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Roots of Unrest

CIty Departments Revert to Old Ways

City of Alexandria department directors have typically done what they want to do with Fort Ward HIstoric Park for the last fifty years.  Civil servants often believe that they know best and they are paid to make decisions for the areas and services they provide to Alexandria residents.  For example, over the years the Recreation Department removed grave stones and markers, filled burial areas, destroyed public records and made decisions within the park without city and Commonwealth permits or public notice and input.  Many of these actions had a direct and adverse impact on historic, cultural and archaeological resources, adjacent homeowners, and the descendants of those families that lived on what is now parkland before the city’s decision to make private lands public.

Over a longer period city officials, as well as department heads, have taken, or are proposing to take, a series of actions which targeted African American communities at Fort Ward, in the Chinquapin/ Seminary area and, more recently in the Woods Lane community.  Armed with “the facts” and hiding behind the notion of the greater public good, city elected officials and department heads targeted neighborhoods for schools and athletic fields forcing people to give-up homes they had paid-off so that they had to purchase new ones at a higher price.  Other proposals calling for highway by-passes and athletic field lights within or adjacent to remaining homes creates continued uncertainty and further erodes what little trust the residents in these areas have for city leaders.   

After years of simmering problems at Fort Ward Historic Park bubbled-over when city officials, without permits, public notice or public hearings, gave their approval to place garbage dumpsters and city maintenance vehicles on top of African American burial areas and next to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and the homes of Marlboro Estates.  As city leaders turned a deaf-ear toward their residents concerns the Oakland Church leaders and those from Marlboro Estates formed a loosely-knit coalition to bring more attention to the park’s problems, seek more civic engagement in city decision-making, and prepare a management plan for the park and the Fort Ward Museum.

Media stories and public input at city sponsored meetings eventually managed to turn the heads of City Council members and they took action to create a Fort Ward Park and Museum Ad-hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group to make recommendations.  The group met for nearly two years, produced a report and recommended that it be reappointed to work with the city to prepare a management plan.  City Council responded favorably and reappointed an improved version of the group and provided funds to find graves, deal with water-runoff problems and prepare a draft management plan for their review and possible approval.

For over five years the advisory group worked with city department heads and their staff, other city commissions and advisory groups, local historians, interested citizens, neighborhood and church leaders and consultants.  A major part of the discussions and planning work was aimed integrating decision-making between city department, between the city and stakeholders and between the city and the surrounding and larger community.  Considerable progress has been made as everyone involved in the process has had a chance to share their views as well as hear the views of others.  Although not directly addressed an undercurrent existed in most meetings that reflected race relations and broadening the message at the park to include civil rights with the story of the Civil War.

The latest planning effort took longer than most hoped that it would and the process of meetings, led at first by advisory groups members and later by city officials and their consultants, frustrated many government and private sector leaders.  Throughout the hundreds of meetings that went on over the course of the Fort Ward effort many people outside government felt that department heads were resistant to sharing decision-making with community interests.  Certain promises, made publicly by city department heads to work with the community and the descendant families of the Fort Ward African American community, eventually were pulled-back as the process slowly moved toward completion.

During the last meeting of the advisory group, on August 13, 2014, three members expressed their lack of trust in the City of Alexandria.  “ The draft plan doesn’t include any guarantees that graves won’t be destroyed.  I have had a problem with the process that has been going on.  We’ve been told one thing and something else has been done.  We don’t trust the city to consult with descendant families before they take action.  There have been too many instances when things were done without consulting with us.  We need to be sure that the work [to find family graves] has been done.”, said Adrienne Terrell Washington, advisory group member and President of the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society, Inc.

In response to Adrienne’s comments, which weren’t new to the advisory group’s discussions, Sharon Annear, the group’s representative from the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. suggested that an administrative process be developed to to clarify public notice and consultations with the descendants.  She suggested that Ms. Terrell Washington and Ms. Laura Durham, the advisory group’s liaison from the Department of Recreation, develop the draft procedure. Ms. Durham suggested that “ a draft document, a best practice of how we can work together, be developed and made part of  a memo of understanding”.  The document would be attached to the memorandum.  Elisabeth Lardner, a consultant to the Recreation Department, suggested that this protocol would be part of the Memo of Understanding between city agencies with responsibilities at Fort Ward and would be made an appendix to the draft management plan.

Following some other discussions at the meeting a motion was made to approve the draft management plan, with the consultation protocol as well as other parts of the document, and forwarded on to City Council for review and possible approval.  For all practical purposes the Fort Ward Advisory Group’s work was done and it ceased to exist with the adjournment of the meeting.

The final advisory group meeting was followed by a public meeting with three other city advisory commissions on September 10, 2014.  Leaders from the Fort Ward advisory group met with those from the Park and Recreation Commission, Environmental Commission and the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission to go over the approved draft plan.  Group, commission and city department members discussed the draft plan’s Drainage and History Reports.   J. Lance Mallamo, Director of Historic Alexandria stressed that the Drainage Plan and History Report were not required to be in the management plan and there was no mandate to include them.   Striking down the idea of integration Mr. Mallamo said,  “These [reports] really aren’t relevant to the plan.

Chuck Ziegler, the last of three different members to serve as chair of the Fort Ward Advisory Group quickly countered, “We voted [to approve] the management plan with the History and Drainage Reports.

On October 6, 2014 in response to the Office of HIstoric Alexandria’s implementation of the Drainage Plan within the Old Oakland Baptist Church Graveyard,  I contacted the Fort Ward Advisory Group liaison, Laura Durham and asked her if she and Ms. Terrell-Washington had developed the consultation protocol and whether the plan had been approved by City Council.  Without a reply from the city, on November 12, 2014 I made a request to the City through the Freedom of Information Act.  Yesterday I received a  draft document, for a fee of $26.00,  dated August 2014, entitled Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Interdepartmental Memorandum of Understanding Guidelines for Ground Disturbance, including Process and Procedures to Protect Cultural Resources.  No information was provided on how this document was prepared, although Ms. Durham did not reply to my request for information and Ms. Terrell-Washington indicated she had no knowledge of the guidelines.  In addition, no information was provided on the status of the approval of the plan, although city staff and managers, as well as Council members, informally indicate that the draft plan’s proposal for an earth mound/ drainage berm on the Old Oakland Church Graveyard is now underway.  No one working on the earth mound/ berm says “If it goes in”, they say “When it goes in”.

The Fort Ward Park and Museum Draft Management Plan is voluminous and reflects considerable effort on the part of the members of the advisory group, consultants and the public.  Unfortunately actions speak louder than written words and recent efforts by the city to return to ham-fisted, paternal decisions under the cover of darkness dilutes whatever trust was built during the multi-year advisory group effort.  As in the past, it appears that city leaders still believe they know best and that they have authority to make independent decisions in Fort Ward Historic Park.  Despite thousands of hours of discussion they continue to resist sharing decision-making with the public they serve no matter what the cost to the city in terms of time and money.  Surprisingly they forget recent Fort Ward history which reveals that community interests saved the land from development and helped to support the creation of a park.  It seems that a park that tells the story of the Civil War and African Americans journey to civil rights requires an approach that is committed to government leaders and citizens working together to find ways to agree, as well as address moral and legal issues.  The best ideas for Fort Ward Park and Museum aren’t god ideas until everyone thinks they are.  Like any civil war, this is going to take awhile.

J. Glenn Eugster

Fort Ward Observer

November 11, 2014

1. 
   

Proposed Fort Ward Plan Holds No Guarantee

Proposed Fort Ward Plan Holds No Guarantee

“.... I understand that I will be making a presentation to the City Council concerning the Management Plan.  I'll be saying pretty much what I said at the joint commissions meeting, but I will lay particular emphasis on the need for a follow-on group representing the various interests in Ft. Ward Park to ensure citizen involvement in the management of the park.  We must remember that what we have produced is a plan, not legislation; there is, therefore, no guarantee going forward that any portion at all of the plan will necessarily be followed.  In this, I am not judging intentions, but rather capabilities, and citizens would be wise to monitor closely the actions of City government.  As well, the Management Plan posits a number of choices to be made (e.g., the narrative concerning historical interpretation at Ft. Ward), and citizen involvement is important there as well.”

Source:  September 30, 2014 correspondence from Charles Ziegler, Chairman,  to the members of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Who Knew? Who Knows?

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves:  Who Knew?  Who Knows?

By J. Glenn Eugster

December 8, 2014

The City of Alexandria’s Council approved a process to develop a management plan for Fort Ward Historic Park in 2011.  This action was taken in response to the recommendations of an advisory group appointed by the City to look at various problems, issues and matters of concern that had been brought to their attention by residents of the City of Alexandria, VA.    The first report used input from a series of public meetings that the city held in 2009.  At that time a large number of participants indicated the need to find African American graves and burial areas within the park.  Many residents of the community that lived on the land before it became a park were buried in family graveyards.

Council took action on the initial recommendations and called for the advisory group to continue while providing three city agencies with funds to prepare a management plan and, on a short-term basis, address the search for graves as well as to better manage water running off of parkland into the adjacent Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The discussions about the unidentified graves in Fort Ward Historic Park have gone on for more than five years.  City officials have resisted most of the efforts made by the descendants of the Fort Ward community to help locate graves, family burial areas, gravestones and markers beyond those known burial areas in the park.  Comments made by city employees publicly and privately have created a dialogue that has been illusive at best and adversarial at worst.  Some of the comments that city managers and staff have made include:

The people who lived in the Fort Ward community were squatters.........

We didn’t know there were graves in the park.......

We began looking for graves in 2009 when community interest surfaced........

If there were graves they were moved........

We don’t remember where the graves were moved to..........

We didn’t think people cared about the graves......

No one remembers were the graves and grave markers were.........

The gravestones probably were discarded at the landfill.........

We couldn’t find the city correspondence related to family graves.........

City staff didn’t move the grave markers or cover grave areas........

We will remove the gravel that was placed on top of areas where graves are likely to help with the search......

We won’t remove the gravel that was placed on top of areas where graves are likely.....

We didn’t budget funds for looking for graves.........

We need factual evidence..........

Some of the descendants we interviewed are older and their memories are fuzzy..........

We have brought closure for the families of those buried in the park........

We are professionals and have done our work to the best of our abilities.......

The Oakland Baptist Church Old Grave Yard is to be managed as a sacred area........

As a result the draft management plan, which will be presented to City Council on December 9, 2014, contains little new information about unmarked graves and burial areas within the park.  Although staff of the Office of Historic Alexandria has done considerable archaeology work in and around the three known grave areas within the park--Old Oakland Baptist Church Grave Yard, Clara and Robert Adams burial area, and the Jackson Family Cemetery,  city leaders have resisted efforts to identify additional graves and burial areas.  For example, more than 1,100 test-pits were dug by city staff to search for historical artifacts while the city managers of this work admitted “we weren’t looking for graves”.

Fort Ward, the community and the historic park, is a complex place.  Although created as a historic park and designated by the City of Alexandria, Commonwealth of Virginia and the U.S Department of the Interior on to the National Register of Historic Places, many city leaders view the park as a recreation area.  Past and recent decisions at the park also reflect expressions of latent racism toward those who lived on the land, as well descendant family members.  The lack of respect for past and current city residents has grown into a deep lack of trust in city leaders.    For example, despite City Council’s commitment to “Civic Engagement” and the preparation of a draft park management plan, city leaders continue to take actions at Fort Ward without meaningful input from the community.  A history report on the Fort Ward African American Community was prepared without the input of the descendants until they complained to the Mayor.  Plans to build a earth-berm to better manage water runoff from parkland are being implemented within known and likely burial areas despite repeated concerns voiced by the descendants, Seminary Civic Association and Oakland Baptist Church leaders.

Most recently Lance Mallamo, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) has taken several actions which further erode trust in his office and the city in general.  For example, when the Fort Ward effort began there was considerable discussion about city staff working with descendant family members to compile information for the plan.  He continually resisted working cooperatively with the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society, Inc., a group established for the purpose of assisting the city’s efforts at Fort Ward Historic Park.  Over time he diminished the value of conducting oral history interviews with descendant family members telling the Mayor, City Manager and others that the elderly descendants with first-hand knowledge of the park have “fuzzy memories” that couldn’t be trusted.

In September 16, 2014 Mr. Mallamo sent a written message explaining the status of his office’s efforts to interview city staff to learn more about the location of graves, family burial areas and grave markers.  Interestingly his note came over a month after the Fort Ward Park and Museum Advisory Group voted to approve the draft management plan and send it to City Council for consideration and approval, or other action.  He wrote, 

“So far we’ve received approval from only one person on the city employee list for a taped interview, Wanda Dowell, former director of Fort Ward Museum, and that interview was completed in November 2013.  That tape is in the process of being transcribed and once that is done, a first draft  will be submitted to Ms. Dowell for her review and requested edits.  Once the final draft is prepared it will await a further review and approval  of the speaker before it is  posted to OHA’s website.  This is a  time consuming process, and I would not expect it to be complete until the winter months of 2015 at the earliest.  Our next interview is planned with Jean Federico though a firm date has not yet been set.

Having personally spoken to several people I recall from the list, including Ms. Dowell, Ms. Jean Federico, Ms. Susan Cumbey, Mr. Wally  Owen, Mr. Steve Tompkins, as well as myself, I can confirm that all of these persons have indicated that they have no direct knowledge or insight of graves or burial areas at Fort Ward Park, other than those still marked by a gravestone or recently surveyed by OHA”.

Mr. Mallamo’s message is troubling for a number of reasons.   First, it reflects no sense of urgency in completing research work that was to be included, and used, in the draft park management plan.  Second, it indicates that no one from the city knew, or knows, about Fort Ward’s graves and burial areas--or cares to share what they know.   Third, it contradicts factual research that was collected from public files and and interviews, provided to OHA,  which indicates that a number of past and current city employees knew, or know, of graves, grave markers and burial areas. 

Finally, despite the recommendations of Dr. Pamela Cressey,  then the City Archaeologist, OHA made no effort during the management planning period to interview other descendant family members with first-hand knowledge of these areas.  More than trying to work with people that could help the city develop a better management plan, Mr. Mallamo seemed content to avoid any information that would lead to the location of additional graves and burial areas.  In fact, city officials based their search for lost graves on those areas where graveyards had been identified by the city more than five decades ago.    

In addition to resisting collaborative input from knowledgeable African Americans Mr. Mallamo  also resisted the use of cadaver dogs and, or,  law enforcement officials, to find the bodies that remain in the park.  In some ways, after initial archaeology work done by the Ottery Group indicated that there were many more graves to be found, Mr. Mallamo, either on his own or in concert with other city leaders,  seems to have decided that he knew all that he wanted to know about burials in the park.

The draft management plan which goes to City Council on December 9, 2014 lacks information that is critical for decision-making at the park.  The question of “Who knew? and Who knows?” about Fort Ward’s lost graves remains.  Community research has revealed that many city government employees, consultants to the city, descendant family members, and others knew, or know, information about the graves.    All of these individuals, given the opportunity to share what they know about these graves, grave stones and family burial areas, can help city officials locate those who are buried in the park.  Only with this information will the draft management plan for Fort Ward be complete.   Only with this information will conflicts between burial areas and future park development be avoided.

“Everytime it rains, it rains pennies from Heaven”.

“Everytime it rains, it rains pennies from Heaven”

The classic song and movie of the same name “ Pennies from Heaven” had much more wisdom in it than most realized back in the 30’s, and with inflation, it could be titled ‘dollars from heaven’. Everytime it rains, we are showered with opportunities to collect and reuse water in ways that can save homeowners and municipalities significant amounts of money.

The Piedmont area of North Carolina receives an abundant annual rainfall ( ?) and yet we experience periodic droughts and subsequent water restrictions. Say “stormwater management” and most folks assume that’s the domain of developers and municipalities. But stormwater, or rainwater, is a valuable resource that homeowners can harvest and reap benefits from. When rain falls on natural areas, it is filtered by plants and soil as it soaks back into the ground and replenishes the groundwater. When rain falls on impervious surfaces - rooftops, roads, and parking lots - stormwater runoff is created, which picks up pollutants - fertilizer, pesticides, sediment, motor oil, litter, and pet and yard waste - and sends them either to streams or through the storm water system to be treated. 

Since residential water use accounts for 47 percent of all water supplied to U.S. communities by public and private utilities, homeowners have the power to make a significant contribution towards water conservation. The key is to capture and keep the rainwater that falls on your property on site. There are multiple options– from simple do-it-yourself rain barrel installations to more complex professionally designed rainwater catchment and recycling systems, as well as landscaping techniques, such as berms, swales and plantings.

 “They saved us in the drought”, claims Linda Rodriguez, a North Raleigh homeowner, who along with her husband, Bob, started with one rain barrel. They now have seven that supply ample water to their lush one acre garden of annuals, perennials and vegetables.  For every inch of rainfall, a typical 2,000 square foot home can collect 1,200 gallons of water - this could translate into 30,000 gallons of water per year – imagine what you could do with all that water! Rain barrels are simply connected to your downspout and have a spigot for attaching a hose. They can be purchased through Rain Water Solutions (www.rainwatersolutions.com). If you are ready for larger scale water collection, cisterns are another option (www.braewater.com or www.rainpro.biz).

Raingardens are also an excellent method for keeping your rainwater on site. Designed as a shallow depression in the ground planted with native species, a rain garden captures runoff from your driveway or roof, allowing it to soak into the ground, rather than running across roads, capturing pollutants, and delivering them to a stream or down the stormdrain. Because the plants and soil absorb and filter pollutants, they return cleaner water to the ground or stream. Rain gardens reduce flooding by sending the water back underground, rather than into the street. Cooperative Extension at NC State offers specific directions for creating and maintaining rain gardens at www.wakegov.com/environment/water/stormwater.htm. 

An excellent DVD on this subject, Reining in the Storm One Building at a Time, by Dave Eckert (www.virginiavillageproductions.com) describes Low Impact Design/ Development (LID), an approach to creating clean water supplies and healthy communities. It is based on the premise that stormwater management should not be seen as stormwater disposal. Instead of collecting, managing and treating it in large, costly end-of-pipe facilities, LID sees stormwater as a resource that can be utilized through small, cost-effective landscape features located at the individual lot level, both residential and commercial. 

Gray water systems are a water recycling process  successfully applied in other parts of the country, but relatively new in North Carolina. A family of four will produce approximately 100 to 200 gallons of gray water per day from showers and baths alone. If you reuse that water for irrigation, you return it to the ground water table, saving the municipal government the cost of treatment, and reducing the burden on overloaded municipal infrastructures or septic systems.

For an advanced education in innovative water reuse, go to www.waterrecycling.com.  Dr. Hal House has created an ecological wastewater recycling system at the former Triangle School in Chatham County, the home of his consulting business, Integrated Water Strategies. This is the first on-site treatment facility of its kind in North Carolina and it demonstrates his motto “cleaning water the way nature does”. Wastewater is purified for reclamation and reuse using constructed wetlands, and a greenhouse containing soil filters and an aquatic ecosystem. Nutrients from the wastewater are captured and used later as fertilizer for landscape plants.

It has been estimated that using rainwater for watering gardens, irrigating lawns, flushing toilets, and washing cars, could reduce potable water consumption by 65% in America’s homes and buildings. This translates to lower residential water bills, less municipal expenditures for pumping and treating water, and more availability during periods of high demand and drought, as well as a more positive impact on the environment. Another advantage of collecting and reusing rainwater is that it does not contain the chemicals that treated municipal water does and plants thrive on natural rainwater. And the best part is – it’s free!

Dump at Chinquapin.jpeg

Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group. RESOLUTION NO. 2677

Fort Ward Management Plan
Implementation Monitoring Group

RESOLUTION NO. 2677


WHEREAS. City Council wishes to establish an ad hoc Fort Ward Management Plan
Implementation Monitoring Group; and

WHEREAS, the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area includes significant historic,
environmental, cultural, park and recreational resources; and

WHEREAS, City Council has approved a Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management
Plan; and

WHEREAS, a diverse group of City residents with a wide variety of interests can assist in
monitoring the implementation of this Plan;

NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA.
VIRGINIA:

1. That there is hereby established an ad hoc monitoring group known as the Ad
Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group (the "Fort Ward Monitoring
Group"};
2. That the Fort Ward Monitoring Group shall consist of eleven members, as follows:
One member of City Council
One member representing the Park and Recreation Commission
One member representing the Historic Alexandria Resource Commission
One member representing the Alexandria Archaeology Commission
One member representing the Environmental Policy Commission
One member representing the Oakland Baptist Church
Two members representing the Fort Ward descendant community
One member representing the Seminary Civic Association
One member representing the Seminary Hills Civic Association
One "at large" representative who has shown a knowledge and keen interest in Fort
Ward;

3. That the Mayor shall appoint the member of City Council who shall act as convener
of the Fort Ward Monitoring Group:

4. That the City Manager shall appoint the remaining ten members for the Fort Ward
Monitoring Group:

5. That the chairpersons of the City Commissions and leadership of the Oakland Baptist
Church, Descendants Society of Fort Ward and civic associations recommend to the City Manager its
members on the Fort Ward Monitoring Group;

6. That the "at large" slot will be appointed by the City Manager based on a call for
nominations publicized through the City's cNcws service, notices to civic, community and business
associations and the City website.

7. That the functions of the Fort Ward Monitoring Group shall be:

a.
Provide staff of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA), Office of Historic
Alexandria (OHA). and Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) with
recommendations for the implementation of the approved Implementation Plan;

b.
Review and monitor implementation projects for consistency with the approved Plan;

c.
Provide recommendations on park uses/operations for consistency with the approved
Plan:

d.
Participate in the development of an annual update on Plan implementation;

8. That staff assistance to the Advisory Group shall be managed jointly by the
Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, the Office of Historic Alexandria, and the
Department of Transportation and Environmental Services. Additional staff assistance shall be

provided as needed from the departments of Planning and Zoning. General Services, and the City
Manager's Office; and

9. That pursuant to City Code Section 2.4.8, the Fort Ward Monitoring Group shall
meet on an ad hoc basis and will be formed for a limited duration of one year unless otherwise
extended by City Council.
Adopted: June 10,2015

WILLIAM D. EUILLE MAYOR

ATTEST:


Jacqueline M. Henderson, MMC City Clerk

Status Report on Marlboro Estates-Fort Ward Park Health, Safety, Use and Management Issues. November 21, 2008

Status Report on Marlboro Estates-Fort Ward Park Health, Safety, Use and Management Issues

Prepared by Glenn Eugster

November 21, 2008

The following information is prepared as an information service to the residents of Marlboro Estates and other residential areas surrounding Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, VA.

City Parks & Recreation Director Outlines Actions to Respond to Neighborhood Concerns

On November 7, 2008 Tom Fulton, Dennis Carroll, Glenn Eugster and Margaret McCormack met with the City of Alexandria Parks & Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon to discuss the September 2008 request that was made to the Mayor and City Council about Fort Ward Park use and management problems impacting the homeowners of Marlboro Estates and other nearby residential nearby.  Mr. Kincannon outlined a series of actions that the City is taking to respond to our concerns.  He also identified a number of actions the City is considering taking.  Following the meeting, on November 11, 2008, Mr. Kincannon sent the following summary of the actions the City is taking and pursuing.

1. Hold a meeting on Ft Ward with Seminary Hills Association in the next few
   weeks to review ideas for improving the park and addressing crowd
   control and park overuse issues.  Share ideas regarding site
   improvements and receive feedback.

2. Change and improve procedures for park picnic and shelter reservations.
  

3. Change and improve procedures for park rule enforcement.

4. Check on eliminating use of alcohol at picnic and shelter/park rentals

   (most likely, but need to make sure I can enact this).

5. Eliminate the allowance of amplified sound or music for rentals and
   picnics except for City functions/events.
  

6. Reduce the amount of "reserved picnic and shelter areas" to five areas
   this year in order to help control crowds and park over use.

7. Investigate carrying capacity of the park and identify methods to
   control overuse of the park.

8. Develop stronger constituency and support base for the park (i.e. volunteers).

Mr. Kincannon said that he would be taking an active role in pursuing these actions to make sure promises are kept.

In response to our neighborhoods request for a copy of the Fort Ward Park master or management plan that guides the actions of the City Mr. Kincannon indicated that there is currently no plan being used to guide development and management of Ft. Ward Park.  The last plan that the City identified for the park is the map/brochure entitled City of Alexandria Arboretum, Fort Ward Park 1983. 

City Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Warns of Budget Cuts and More Future Use for Fort Ward Park

A public meeting of the City’s Parks & Recreation Commission was held on November 20, 2008 to discuss a range of topics including the status of the City’s budget for parks and the response to Fort Ward Park neighborhood concerns.  The Alexandria Parks & Recreation Commission is an eleven-member advisory unit established by City Council in March 1970.  The Commission advises City Council in matters relating to recreation and culture, and participates in planning recreational activities and services through its advice to Council, and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.  Marlboro Estates is within Planning District 3 and our representatives on the Commission are: Kaj Vetter, David Dexter and Richard Brune.  

Highlights of the meeting are outlined below:

1. Special Events Policy Being Developed:  The City is developing a policy for special events in parks, including Fort Ward Park.  The Commission will review the policy on December 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm at a location to be determined. A public hearing will be scheduled after review by the Commission.  This new policy could positively or negatively impact the use and management of Fort Ward Park.

1. Budget Shortfalls to Impact Parks & Recreation Services:  The City is currently reviewing its current and future budgets to find a way to reduce spending to be consistent with available funds.  Kirk Kincannon indicated that all departments are taking their fair share of budget cuts including the Parks & Recreation Department.  Some budget cuts have been taken already and the City will look to reduce spending in 2009 in hiring, seasonal maintenance staff, lawn maintenance, snow removal, trash removal, and overtime emergencies.  Deputy Parks & Recreation Director Roger Blakely indicated that cuts to seasonal hires will reduce the City’s ability “to monitor and manage the nonsense that goes on in the parks”. 

1. Status of Fort Ward Park Problem Solving:  Kirk Kincannon reported on the meetings he has had with the leadership of the Seminary Hill Association and Marlboro Estates.  He said to the Commission that, “Fort Ward Park, and other parks, are overused and we have to stop the impacts”.  Commission Chair Judy Guse-Noritake offered a contrasting perspective in the Fort Ward Park discussion when she said, “Overtime we are going to look to large parks to handle more use”.  Kirk Kincannon countered by saying that, “We need to point large groups elsewhere”.  Roger Blakeley offered another perspective by indicating that, “We don’t have staff to manage the use of the park this fiscal year”.

Neighborhood Meeting Planed for December 2, 2008 with Park & Recreation Commissioners

In response to our requests for discussion Kaj Vetter, one of the three District 3 Commission members serving our neighborhood has agreed to meet with us on Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  The meeting will give residents an opportunity to share our concerns about park use and management with one of our Commissioners.  The meeting will be held at 4022 Ellicott Street.  Please call Glenn Eugster  at 703-845-8947 to confirm your attendance.

Future Meetings of Neighborhood Importance

• Public Meeting on Fort Ward Park Use and Management:  Date and location to be announced soon. Note:  The outcome of this meeting will be very important to our residents.  It will be very important for as many of us as possible to attend and make a statement about our views.  Kirk Kincannon has been very responsive to our concerns and this is the best chance we have had to be heard. We need your help at this meeting!

• Meeting with Parks & Recreation Commission Vetter:  Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 7:00 pm at 4022 Ellicott Street.  Please confirm attendance by calling 703-845-8947 or replying to: glenn_eugster@comcast.net  Note: I am looking for a small number of people to join me in this discussion with Mr. Vetter.  My hope is to familiarize him with our neighborhood, our love of the park and the problems we have experienced.

• Alexandria Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting on Special Events Policy:  Thursday December 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  Located to be identified.  Note:  The Commission plays and important advisory and advocacy role in the City and needs to be guided by residents.  Commissioners need to hear from the people they represent.

• Seminary Hill Association Board Meeting: Thursday December 11, 2008.  Contact Nancy Jennings, our District 6 Association Representative at: Nrjennings@comcast.net  Note: As many of you know the Association was instrumental in saving Fort Ward Park creating Marlboro Estates.  The board has been most helpful to us over the last year in working with the City.  The Association meetings are interesting and very informative.

For additional information about this status report please call:

Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

703-845-8947

glenn_eugster@comcast.net

Status Report on Marlboro Estates-Fort Ward Park Health, Safety, Use and Management Issues. November 21, 2008

Status Report on Marlboro Estates-Fort Ward Park Health, Safety, Use and Management Issues

Prepared by Glenn Eugster

November 21, 2008

The following information is prepared as an information service to the residents of Marlboro Estates and other residential areas surrounding Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, VA.

City Parks & Recreation Director Outlines Actions to Respond to Neighborhood Concerns

On November 7, 2008 Tom Fulton, Dennis Carroll, Glenn Eugster and Margaret McCormack met with the City of Alexandria Parks & Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon to discuss the September 2008 request that was made to the Mayor and City Council about Fort Ward Park use and management problems impacting the homeowners of Marlboro Estates and other nearby residential nearby.  Mr. Kincannon outlined a series of actions that the City is taking to respond to our concerns.  He also identified a number of actions the City is considering taking.  Following the meeting, on November 11, 2008, Mr. Kincannon sent the following summary of the actions the City is taking and pursuing.

1. Hold a meeting on Ft Ward with Seminary Hills Association in the next few
   weeks to review ideas for improving the park and addressing crowd
   control and park overuse issues.  Share ideas regarding site
   improvements and receive feedback.

2. Change and improve procedures for park picnic and shelter reservations.
  

3. Change and improve procedures for park rule enforcement.

4. Check on eliminating use of alcohol at picnic and shelter/park rentals

   (most likely, but need to make sure I can enact this).

5. Eliminate the allowance of amplified sound or music for rentals and
   picnics except for City functions/events.
  

6. Reduce the amount of "reserved picnic and shelter areas" to five areas
   this year in order to help control crowds and park over use.

7. Investigate carrying capacity of the park and identify methods to
   control overuse of the park.

8. Develop stronger constituency and support base for the park (i.e. volunteers).

Mr. Kincannon said that he would be taking an active role in pursuing these actions to make sure promises are kept.

In response to our neighborhoods request for a copy of the Fort Ward Park master or management plan that guides the actions of the City Mr. Kincannon indicated that there is currently no plan being used to guide development and management of Ft. Ward Park.  The last plan that the City identified for the park is the map/brochure entitled City of Alexandria Arboretum, Fort Ward Park 1983. 

City Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Warns of Budget Cuts and More Future Use for Fort Ward Park

A public meeting of the City’s Parks & Recreation Commission was held on November 20, 2008 to discuss a range of topics including the status of the City’s budget for parks and the response to Fort Ward Park neighborhood concerns.  The Alexandria Parks & Recreation Commission is an eleven-member advisory unit established by City Council in March 1970.  The Commission advises City Council in matters relating to recreation and culture, and participates in planning recreational activities and services through its advice to Council, and the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.  Marlboro Estates is within Planning District 3 and our representatives on the Commission are: Kaj Vetter, David Dexter and Richard Brune.  

Highlights of the meeting are outlined below:

1. Special Events Policy Being Developed:  The City is developing a policy for special events in parks, including Fort Ward Park.  The Commission will review the policy on December 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm at a location to be determined. A public hearing will be scheduled after review by the Commission.  This new policy could positively or negatively impact the use and management of Fort Ward Park.

1. Budget Shortfalls to Impact Parks & Recreation Services:  The City is currently reviewing its current and future budgets to find a way to reduce spending to be consistent with available funds.  Kirk Kincannon indicated that all departments are taking their fair share of budget cuts including the Parks & Recreation Department.  Some budget cuts have been taken already and the City will look to reduce spending in 2009 in hiring, seasonal maintenance staff, lawn maintenance, snow removal, trash removal, and overtime emergencies.  Deputy Parks & Recreation Director Roger Blakely indicated that cuts to seasonal hires will reduce the City’s ability “to monitor and manage the nonsense that goes on in the parks”. 

1. Status of Fort Ward Park Problem Solving:  Kirk Kincannon reported on the meetings he has had with the leadership of the Seminary Hill Association and Marlboro Estates.  He said to the Commission that, “Fort Ward Park, and other parks, are overused and we have to stop the impacts”.  Commission Chair Judy Guse-Noritake offered a contrasting perspective in the Fort Ward Park discussion when she said, “Overtime we are going to look to large parks to handle more use”.  Kirk Kincannon countered by saying that, “We need to point large groups elsewhere”.  Roger Blakeley offered another perspective by indicating that, “We don’t have staff to manage the use of the park this fiscal year”.

Neighborhood Meeting Planed for December 2, 2008 with Park & Recreation Commissioners

In response to our requests for discussion Kaj Vetter, one of the three District 3 Commission members serving our neighborhood has agreed to meet with us on Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  The meeting will give residents an opportunity to share our concerns about park use and management with one of our Commissioners.  The meeting will be held at 4022 Ellicott Street.  Please call Glenn Eugster  at 703-845-8947 to confirm your attendance.

Future Meetings of Neighborhood Importance

• Public Meeting on Fort Ward Park Use and Management:  Date and location to be announced soon. Note:  The outcome of this meeting will be very important to our residents.  It will be very important for as many of us as possible to attend and make a statement about our views.  Kirk Kincannon has been very responsive to our concerns and this is the best chance we have had to be heard. We need your help at this meeting!

• Meeting with Parks & Recreation Commission Vetter:  Tuesday December 2, 2008 at 7:00 pm at 4022 Ellicott Street.  Please confirm attendance by calling 703-845-8947 or replying to: glenn_eugster@comcast.net  Note: I am looking for a small number of people to join me in this discussion with Mr. Vetter.  My hope is to familiarize him with our neighborhood, our love of the park and the problems we have experienced.

• Alexandria Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting on Special Events Policy:  Thursday December 11, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  Located to be identified.  Note:  The Commission plays and important advisory and advocacy role in the City and needs to be guided by residents.  Commissioners need to hear from the people they represent.

• Seminary Hill Association Board Meeting: Thursday December 11, 2008.  Contact Nancy Jennings, our District 6 Association Representative at: Nrjennings@comcast.net  Note: As many of you know the Association was instrumental in saving Fort Ward Park creating Marlboro Estates.  The board has been most helpful to us over the last year in working with the City.  The Association meetings are interesting and very informative.

For additional information about this status report please call:

Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

703-845-8947

glenn_eugster@comcast.net

Ft. Ward Park-Marlboro Estates Status Report DRAFT August 5, 2008

Ft. Ward Park-Marlboro Estates Status Report

DRAFT August 5, 2008

Prepared by Glenn Eugster

Introduction

The following is a summary of various activities and issues related to Ft. Ward Park and the residents of Marlboro Estates.  Included is a summary of a meeting that was held with the City on July 1, 2008.

Should you have any questions please contact me.

Summary

1.  The City of Alexandria, in response to the request of residents of Marlboro Estates and the efforts of City Council members, the Alexandria Police Department, the Parks & Recreation Department, the VA Department of Environmental Quality, and the Seminary Valley Neighborhood Association, has:

•   Increased regular police patrols in the neighborhood and in Ft. Ward Park to protect the quality of life and discourage criminal activity in Marlboro Estates.

• Moved a solid waste transfer station from the Ft. Ward Park maintenance yard to a location outside of the park.

• Moved a dumpster used for park picnic area waste and brush from the maintenance yard to another location away from neighborhood homes.

• Provided a buffer between the maintenance yard and residential properties along Ellicott Street.

• Promised to maintain the vegetation which grows from park land onto homeowner fences.  This task has not been completed.

•   Scheduled a meeting between residents and the City Parks & Recreation managers in early December 2008.

2. Since early July there have been numerous homeowner complaints filed with the Alexandria Police Department and the Parks & Recreation Department about the excessive noise levels coming from the picnic pavilions in Ft. Ward Park.  Park users are increasingly using music sound amplifiers (speakers), 3-5 feet high, with the approval of the City’s Permit Office.  The noise levels, which some long-term residents believe are the loudest they have heard in 15 years, are not consistent with the City’s Noise Ordinance.  

Although the Police Department, Parks & Recreation Department, and the Ft. Ward Park Manager have been working on this issue excessive noise levels have continued.

3. The City’s Parks & Recreation Department is planning to add two new picnic pavilions to Ft. Ward Park and the City is getting a lot of pressure for more use of these areas.  The new picnic pavilions are to be located just beyond the park’s new entrance booth, in the area to the right of the road that is posted as “Closed for Renovation”.  Another picnic pavilion that will be upgraded is the shelter to the right side of the park entrance between Braddock Road and the Plant Nursery.  Both areas will be similar in design to the existing pavilions which are used by groups ranging from 35 to 200 people.   

I have made a request to the Parks & Recreation Department, on behalf of the neighborhood, that these improvements not be made until the noise problem is resolved and the residents of our neighborhood have an opportunity to review the plans for this facilities. Also requested was a copy of the master/ management plan for the park and the policies that the park is used, managed and operated under.  At this time the Parks & Recreation managers have not replied to the request and it appears that work has begun on one of the new picnic pavilions.

4. Plans are well underway for the Ft. Ward Park and City of Alexandria Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration.  The effort, which was reported on recently in a separate memo, is being lead by the West End Business District and the Ft. Ward Park Museum and Historic Site.  The purpose of the effort is to: 1) celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War at Ft. Ward Park and around the City; and 2) promote Ft. Ward Park for visitors from inside and outside the City.

Past Events

July 1, 2008 Meeting with 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.

The purpose of the meeting was to: 

1.   Go over the changes that we requested the City make to the garbage disposal area and maintenance yard in Fort Ward Park. 

2.   Learn of the City's plans for new picnic shelters in the park. 

3.  Discuss other issues of neighborhood interest or concern including excessive noise which comes from the picnic areas.  

The group met near the gate to the Fort Ward Park maintenance yard at 10:30 am.  Roger Blakeley opened the meeting by discussing many of the changes that the City Parks & Recreation Department made to the maintenance yard since the last meeting on April 21, 2008.  Roger and the other City managers led the landowners on a brief tour through the maintenance yard and into the newly created buffer area adjacent to some of the homes on Ellicott Street.  Following Roger’s opening remarks several landowners thanked the City managers for their time and the effort they have made to respond to the Marlboro Estates health and safety concerns.

The group began discussion on the following items while standing in the buffer area and outside the maintenance yard.

1. John Walsh indicated that the City would add three more Evergreen trees to the buffer and additional plantings to the other section of the buffer adjacent to where the maintenance vehicles are kept.

1. Tom Fulton asked the City to help remove poison ivy vines which has grown along the fence adjacent to his property.

1. Roger Blakeley said that Walter Powell has begun to manage the cars that are using the park as a way to drop-off and pick-up children using St. Stephens and St. Agnes School. He noted the new signs and speed bumps that have been installed in the park.  

1. Walter noted that two new picnic pavilions are being 

planned and the City is getting a lot of pressure for more use of these areas. The new picnic pavilions are to be located just beyond the park’s new entrance booth, in the area to the right of the road that is posted as “Closed for Renovation”.  Another picnic pavilion that will be upgraded is the shelter to the right side of the park entrance between Braddock Road and the plant nursery.

5. Roger added that the City was trying to improve the current permit process to insure that the park facilities are not over-used. He added that the City is trying to limit parking and that in the past the permit office was giving permits without consideration of the amount of parking available.  He said that they are considering 4 hour blocks of time for picnic rentals for next year.

6.  Residents noted the ongoing noise problems that many residents have complained about recently.  Walter said that residents should call Alexandria City Police when they have concerns about noise levels.  Glenn Eugster indicated that the current park noise permit does not address noise levels nor does it reference the need to adhere to the City’s existing noise ordinance.    Roger noted that maybe the City could revise their noise permit to make it more effective.  The City representatives indicated that current permitted noise levels were somewhere between 80 and 120 decibels. & lt; /FONT>

7. Dennis Carroll said that the City was 100% responsive to our earlier concerns about the dumpsters in the maintenance yard and that he and others appreciated the efforts.  He expressed concern about the future use of the maintenance yard--in response to the news that the City is planning to move the plant nursery.  He also expressed serious concern about the addition of new picnic pavilions in the park.  Dennis said that new pavilions close to our neighborhood will diminish property values as well as the quality of daily life in Marlboro Estates. 

Roger said that the option of moving the plant nursery is being considered by the City.  If the plant nursery leaves the City is considering placing a picnic pavilion in that part of the park.  Thad Dilley said that he feels that the plant nursery operation is a good neighbor and hopes that it doesn’t move.  Other residents expressed serious concern about a new picnic pavilion being located close to the homes on Ellicott Street.

1. Glenn asked Roger about the status of the park’s 

management/ master plan.  The park does not currently have 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.  Walter added that the park is being looked at to help raise revenue for the City.

1. Nancy Jennings asked about the dog park portion of 

Fort Ward Park and said that she thought it was hardly ever used.  Roger and Walter explained that the Fort Ward Park is used and it is part of the City’s Dog Park Master Plan.

10.  Discussion continued about possible future uses of the maintenance yard and plant nursery if those areas are moved.  A number of residents reiterated that the nursery is a good neighbor and that a picnic area adjacent to the homes along Ellicott Street would be unacceptable to our residents. Dennis recognized that the City has a challenging job managing the park given the three distinct use areas—the historic core and museum, the picnic area, and the residential buffer/ plant nursery area.  He said he hoped that we could maintain a buffer between our homes and existing and future park activity areas.

Next Steps

• Roger said that the City would like to continue discussions with the group about existing and future park management and use.  He stressed that it was important for us to communicate our concerns and interests with him so that he can share those interests and ideas with the other managers. 
• He said he hoped that the residents would provide input into the master/ management plan once the effort is underway. He added that he would like the input of our landowners as they begin to develop a plan for the park.  
• Roger suggested that the group meet in six months [December 2008] to talk again. 
• He also said the City would review the picnic area reservation permit system and see if it could be improved.  

Prepared by Glenn Eugster July 10, 2008