Seminary Hill Association Inc. Comments on the Management at Fort Ward Park

SEMINARY HILL ASSOCIATION, INC.

2115 Marlboro Drive

Alexandria, VA 22304

April 23, 2010

Mr. Thomas Fulton, Chairman

Alexandria Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group

C/O Ms. Laura Durham, Advisory Group Staff Coordinator

Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities

1108 Jefferson Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Re: Management at Fort Ward Park

Dear Tom,

Fort Ward Park exists today because of the efforts of Seminary Hill residents. Over 40

years ago, on April 1, 1954, the President of Seminary Hill Association (SHA) spoke to

the Alexandria Planning Commission about the need to save the area as an important

historical park to be used for education and enjoyment. In 2007, SHA encouraged the

Alexandria City staff and the City Council to address health, crime, and quality of life

issues related to Fort Ward Park and its surrounding communities. SHA appreciates the

many improvements the City has made and supports continuing efforts to find solutions

to ongoing problems. In addition, the SHA Board of Directors asks that one of its

members become an official member of the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area

Stakeholder Advisory Group.

SHA appreciates the improvements since 2008 in crowd control and park uses:

• An increase in the number of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities staff in the park

on the weekends to help manage park use and noise.

• The City’s improved process and better oversight on picnic area reservations and

parking.

• The City’s relocation of undesirable uses, in particular the maintenance yard and

nursery.

SHA remains concerned about the lack of a vision for Fort Ward Park and the failure to

include citizens in the Advisory Group process:

• A mission and vision statement for Fort Ward Park has yet to be discussed with the

community despite the Director of the Recreation Department supporting one on

March 18, 2009. The City should follow through on its stated plans to update the Fort

Ward Park master plan prepared in 1962 and 1978. Seminary Hill residents still

lament the loss of some of the azalea bushes (by the entrance), the neglect of the

remaining azaleas, and the loss of trees.

• Interested citizens continue to lack a process to be included in plans for the Park; for

example, a foot path parallel to the circular park-drive, a bus lane, and the relocation

of the playground and dog park.

• The public has no time to comment at Advisory Group meetings because the agenda

is all reports from staff.

• The City has held numerous public sessions and recorded comments and

recommendations since 2009, but none of this information has been included in the

matrix of priorities and concerns developed by the City’s groups: Department of

Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Office of Historic Alexandria, Ad Hoc

Advisory Committee, and Fort Ward History Workgroup.

• Announcements of scheduled Advisory Group meetings have not reached some

Seminary Hill residents. At a minimum a sign could be posted at the park entrance on

West Braddock Road a few days before to alert interested residents.

• Storm water continues to cause damage to parkland, residential properties in

Marlboro Estates, and the graves and grave stones in the Oakland Baptist Church

Cemetery.

In 1954, SHA President Wiecking appointed a standing Fort Ward Committee and told

the Planning Commission that “The Association will stay with you and the City on Fort

Ward, and see it through. The Association will do all it can to help make and keep Fort

Ward Historical Park a benefit and credit to the City,…”. Then and now SHA members

stand ready to help the City protect, manage, and enjoy this special historical park.

Cordially,

/s/

Mrs. Nancy Jennings, President

Seminary Hill Association, Inc.