Fort Ward Park: Comments from the Alexandria Historical Association

March 12, 2009

Ms. Laura Durham

Open Space Coordinator

Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

1108 Jefferson Street

Alexandria, VA 22314 

Dear Ms. Durham:

The Alexandria Historical Association has long been an advocate for researching, understanding and protecting Alexandria’s unique and rich historical past. 

Accordingly, we are most concerned about the numerous unprotected marked and unmarked graves located on land owned by the City and within Fort Ward Park.  This public park is operated collaboratively with your Department and the Office of Historic Alexandria; and it contains the historic Civil war era park, a museum connected with the fortification, a concert amphitheater, and numerous sites for picnicking including large group picnic shelters. 

It appears that after the Fort Ward Civil War era fortifications were abandoned in the mid 1860s, a number of “Freemen” – newly emancipated African Americans - settled at the site.  Over the ensuing years this settlement grew and included a Church, a school, an undetermined number of housing units and an area dedicated to human burials.  Although the church, school, and houses no longer remain, a formal cemetery with headstones, fenced and owned by Oakland Baptist Church, is located on a plot of land that can only be accessed through the park.  Several marked and an undetermined number of unmarked graves (suggested by depressions in the soil) are located outside the fenced Oakland Church cemetery on what is assumed to be City property.  The area immediately adjacent to the cemetery is used by your Department for equipment and materials storage, composting, a small tree nursery, a green house, and a utility building – all of which give the appearance of a light industrial site – a use of the land that seems incompatible with the historical and cultural aspects of the park and the adjoining residential neighborhood. 

The City of Alexandria is nationally noted for protecting and interpreting its rich historical past which reaches back to the Colonial era.  This, of course, includes the military aspects of the American Civil War period as evidenced by the reconstructed, well maintained and interpreted Fort Ward.  This fort is acknowledged to be the best preserved of the entire system of area civil war fortifications and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  At the conclusion of hostilities when “reconstruction” began, there existed a period of City history less well understood and appreciated.  This is particularly true for the African-American communities situated in the western end of the City, particularly near to the Episcopal High School and the Virginia Theological Seminary.

It should be noted that a deep concern for history is reflected in Alexandria’s recently adopted ‘Vision principles’ which is the Council approved guide for setting overall City priorities. These include a vision for the City where:  

• “The history and heritage of different cultures are celebrated.“

• “We preserve and celebrate our historical roots and diverse heritage from the 18th century to today, and residents understand and appreciate the City's history.” 

• “We preserve our historic neighborhoods, homes, and other historic buildings and other historic sites and maintain our distinctive architectural character and design.” 

This vision also recognizes that: 

• “Alexandria's history contributes to the local economy through tourism development.”

• “Open green spaces, trees, streetscapes, public spaces and canopied streets are located throughout our community and are attractive and well-maintained.”

• “Parks, trails and green spaces are incorporated in the urban center and coordinated with nearby neighborhoods. “

Based on this vision, the Alexandria Historical Society recommends the following actions regarding that portion of Fort Ward Park adjacent to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery:

1. Immediately fence off that area of Fort Ward Park where grave markers now exist and where depressions in the soil suggest the existence of unmarked graves.

1. Using available in house resources at the Office of Historic Alexandria, conduct a preliminary historic site analysis. Conduct interviews with persons who may have family and other personal connections with the community that once existed on Fort Ward property.  Investigate City Archives, old newspapers, property records, and other sources for clues about that community.

1. Move the adjacent and more industrial type operations of the Parks and Recreation Department maintenance, parking, storage and composting facility to other locations out of respect for this heritage and human burial area. 

1. Working with Oakland Baptist Church and individuals who have personal connections with and/or knowledge of the community that once occupied this site, develop interpretive signage to educate park visitors to the known history of this “lost” community. 

The City of Alexandria can be justifiably proud of the manner by which they rescued the Freedmen’s Cemetery in the southern end of the City from private ownership, conducted a professional archeological survey of the grave sites, and sought, selected, and funded erection of a memorial. Can the City do less on property it owns and over which it exercises complete control? 

This position was approved by the Alexandria Historical Society Board of Directors on March 10, 2009.  If the Alexandria Historical Society can be of assistance in these endeavors or if you have questions, please feel free to contact me at 703.683.2636.

On behalf of the Alexandria Historical Society Board of Directors:

Robert L. Madison

Vice President

Alexandria Historical Society, Inc. 

Copies:

William D. Euille, Alexandria City Mayor 

Members of Alexandria City Council

James K. Hartmann, Alexandria City Manager 

J. Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria 

Kirk Kincannon, Director, Alexandria Department of Parks and Recreation 

Comments on behalf of the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. (Seminary Hill) regarding Fort Ward Park

SEMINARY HILL ASSOCIATION, INC.

4009 North Garland Street

Alexandria, VA  22304

March 15, 2009

VIA E-MAIL

Mr. Kirk Kincannon

Director, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

1108 Jefferson Street

Alexandria, VA  22314

Dear Mr. Kincannon:

I am writing to provide comments on behalf of the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. (Seminary Hill) regarding Fort Ward Park (the Park).  While we will continue to press for better communications from the City regarding all meetings, policies, and planning efforts involving the Park, our most immediate concerns are as follows:

1. Management of park uses:  Immediate steps must be taken to prevent the overuse and abuses of the Park that have occurred over recent years, most notably the excessive crowds, noise, trash, and alcohol consumption that occurred on Labor Day Weekend of 2007 and 2008.  These situations must not be allowed to recur in the future, starting this Spring and Summer.  Seminary Hill has been waiting since November 5, 2008 (when you, Pat Lidy and I met in your office to discuss Seminary Hill’s concerns regarding Fort Ward Park) to see a concrete crowd control plan to prevent such situations.  I would like to set a meeting with you and Captain Hassan Aden of the Alexandria City Police Department sometime in April to discuss this.

1. Amplified sound:  Seminary Hill supports establishing a policy prohibiting amplification of any sound—music, voice, etc.—in the Park, with the exception of City-sponsored activities in the Amphitheater.

1. Alcohol use:  Seminary Hill supports establishing a policy prohibiting alcohol use in the Park, with the exception of City-sponsored events.

1. Protection of grave sites:  The deterioration of grave sites in the Park is deplorable.  Immediate action should be taken to provide at least some minimal protection of these sites, and the identification and protection of other possible unmarked grave sites must be a top priority.

1. Budget:  With the exception of the protection requested above for the grave sites, all spending under the current CIP budget should cease and desist until the public has an opportunity to comment on the forthcoming draft action plan and a new, approved Park plan is in place.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Joanne Lepanto

President

cc: Jim Hartmann, City Manager

Laura Durham, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

Seminary Hill Association, Inc. Board of Directors

Captain Hassan Aden, ACPD

Susan Cumbey, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Walton Owen, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

William Schreiner, Friends of Fort Ward Park

Adrienne T. Washington

Fort Ward Park Update March 23, 2009

Fort Ward Park Update

March 23, 2009

Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

Fort Ward Park Community Meeting: City Presents Findings & Recommendations

On Wednesday night, March 18, 2009, Kirk Kincannon of the Alexandria Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities department, and Lance Mallamo of the Office of Historic Alexandria, presented the City’s findings and draft recommendation to more than 100 citizens at T.C. Williams High School.  Using a Power Point Presentation and occasional technical assistance from City staff, Mr. Kincannon and Mallamo presented an overview of the verbal and written comments they have received during the public engagement process.  

From the comments the City outlined “Possible Immediate Actions” to be taken to respond to the public comment process which closed on March 13, 2009.  Short term actions were defined as up to 3 to 5 years.  Long term actions were defined as over 5 years.

The 16 page presentation included one page of findings and one page of possible general immediate actions.  The speakers verbal comments about the actions enhanced the brief text that was displayed and emphasized a number of points including:

*  There is a whole other story at Fort Ward Park including African American and Native American history.  The whole site [park] is historic.

*  The City is working to relocate the maintenance yard and move vehicles off of grave sites in the nursery area.  Stewardship plans will be developed by the City in the future. 

*  There are way too many picnics and vehicles at Ft. Ward Park.

*  There will be controlled access to the graves within the maintenance yard and nursery area.

*  Amplified music and alcohol will be controlled through permits and enforcement.

The presenters indicated that their intent was to seek input on the findings and possible immediate actions.  The public may comment on this new information, which is on the City‘s website at: http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/recreation/info/FWPresentations3-18-09.pdf

The deadline for comments in Friday March 27, 2009.  Neither speaker indicated what the process for future public involvement is.  Kirk Kincannon indicated that he has accepted a job in Boulder, Colorado and will be leaving the City in April. 

Fort Ward Park: Marlboro Estates Update April 7, 2009

Fort Ward Park: Marlboro Estates Update

April 7, 2009

Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

The following information is a summary on the public and private activities related to Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, Virginia.  Should you have questions or comments about this information please call me at 703-845-8947 or by e-mail write to: glenn_eugster@comcast.net

Recognition & Restoration of African American Graves

1.  Grave Areas within the Maintenance and Nursery Area:  Following the City’s public meeting on Fort Ward Park, and two newspaper articles, the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities Department began removing maintenance vehicles and equipment from the park maintenance and nursery area.  The maintenance yard had been expanded by the City, without a Special Use Permit or any public input, to place vehicles and equipment on top off and adjacent to the graves of African Americans who lived within the area before the City created the park.  

Unfortunately City maintenance vehicles are using the maintenance area almost daily and continue to drive and park on top of known grave areas.  The City Manager, Mayor and City Council members have been contacted about this degradation of grave areas.   

2.  Oral History Interviews:  The City Archeologist, Pam Cressey, in cooperation with Susan Cumbey, Director and Wally Owen, Assistant Director, of Fort Ward Park Museum and Historic Site, are working with local historians and community leaders to interview people who lived within the Fort Ward Park area.  This first-hand information will provide the City with information about the historic and cultural values within the park.  The results of the interviews will be combined with other oral history interviews, which were done by the City in 1996 and earlier this year, to provide a more sound basis for future decisions and park interpretation. 

Fort Ward Park Action Plan

1. Fort Ward Park Community Meeting: City Presents Findings & Recommendations

On March 18, 2009, Kirk Kincannon of the Alexandria Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities department, and Lance Mallamo of the Office of Historic Alexandria, presented the City’s findings and draft recommendation to more than 100 citizens at T.C. Williams High School.  Using a Power Point Presentation and occasional technical assistance from City staff, Mr. Kincannon and Mallamo presented an overview of the verbal and written comments they have received during the public engagement process.  

From the comments the City outlined “Possible Immediate Actions” to be taken to respond to the public comment process which closed on March 13, 2009.  Short term actions were defined as up to 3 to 5 years.  Long term actions were defined as over 5 years.

The 16 page presentation included one page of findings and one page of possible general immediate actions.  The speakers verbal comments about the actions enhanced the brief text that was displayed and emphasized a number of points including:

*  There is a whole other story at Fort Ward Park including African American and Native American history.  The whole site [park] is historic.

*  The City is working to relocate the maintenance yard and move vehicles off of grave sites in the nursery area.  Stewardship plans will be developed by the City in the future. 

*  There are way too many picnics and vehicles at Ft. Ward Park.

*  There will be controlled access to the graves within the maintenance yard and nursery area.

*  Amplified music and alcohol will be controlled through permits and enforcement.

The presenters indicated that their intent was to seek input on the findings and possible immediate actions.  The public comment period ended on March 27, 2009.  Neither speaker indicated what the process for future public involvement is.  Kirk Kincannon indicated that he has accepted a job in Boulder, Colorado and will be leaving the City in April. 

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities 

1.  Richard J. Baier named as Interim Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities:  Alexandria City Manager James K. Hartmann recently appointed Transportation & Environmental Services Director Richard J. Baier, P.E. as Interim Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, effective April 7, until a new Director is appointed. 

Fort Ward Park Funding

2.  City Council Members Asked to Provide Funding in 2010:  The Mayor and City Council were contacted and asked to help dedicate City funding in the 2010 budget to address ongoing problems at Fort Ward Park including the protection, restoration and interpretation of African American graves. Two of the seven members, Councilman Wilson and Krupica, replied to the funding request.  Councilman Krupica wrote, “As we are cutting back grass cutting, tree services, are not paving roads or fixing sidewalks in this year's budget, I think it will be a challenge to find significant money for work at Ft. Ward. As you may also know, we are cutting positions in the park program and they have lost their most senior park planner to another jurisdiction and that position isn't going to be filled due to the economy. We'll review whether there are opportunities to move money around, but I don't want to create any false expectations. As we are cutting back on basic services to make ends-meet, it will be hard to find money for anything new, no matter how useful it is“.

Councilman Wilson wrote, “ It is wonderful to see the great momentum that is building now on this issue. This was actually a question at the City Council candidate's debate on Thursday evening.

I will keep you updated as this proceeds (and I hope you will do the same for me). I suspect that some of these issues will get raised as part of our budget deliberations--where hopefully we can set aside some small allocation of capital funds. It will be difficult given the environment we are in, but I will certainly look for all opportunities“.

 The next public hearing on the City’s 2010 budget, which does not include funding for Fort Ward Park, is Saturday April 13, 2009.  The City Council’s last work session on the finalization of the add and deletion list for the budget is Monday April 20, 2009.

Fort Ward Park: Graves Outside of the Maintenance Yard

September 22, 2008

Dear Director Mallamo,

My wife and I attended the reception at Ft. Ward Park on Saturday evening.  We enjoyed your remarks about the important historic and cultural values of Fort Ward Park.  We decided to live in Alexandria, VA many years ago in part because of the City's commitment to the past, present and future. Your perspective and enthusiasm are most welcome.

Our home is next to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and we use the park daily.  During our walks we have noticed that the following three graves are outside of the cemetery in an unfenced area in front of the entrance to the maintenance yard.

Graves Outside the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery:

Spence, Cornelia  1842 - 1897 Oct 13  born in Jefferson, Texas

Javins, W.  b. (June?) 15, 1873 (rest buried)

Fitzhugh, Virginia  d. 1918 Jan 18 age 65

Given the City's long-standing commitment to historic and cultural values would it be possible to place a fence around these graves so that they will be protected?

Thanks again for taking the time to participate in the Ft. Ward Park & Museum Reception.

Sincerely,

J. Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304-1012

Ft. Ward Park & the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Remarks by Susan Cumbey, Director of Ft. Ward Park Museum and Linda Vitello, West End Business Association

Ft. Ward Park & the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration

Remarks by Susan Cumbey, Director of Ft. Ward Park Museum and Linda Vitello, West End Business Association

July 23, 2008

Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

On Wednesday July 23, 2008 I attended a Networking Event at Ft. Ward Park Museum which was sponsored by the West End Business Association(WEBA). It was attended by approximnately 30 residents, business leaders and elected officials.  The event featured remarks by Susan Cumbey, Director of the Ft. Ward Park Museum on Ft. Ward Park and plans for the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War.  The following is a summary of what I heard for your information.

Speaker: Susan Cumbey, Director, Ft. Ward Park

Ms. Cumbey began her presentation by giving an overview on Ft. Ward Park and its role in the Civil War.  She described Ft. Ward Park as a “wonderful historic park” and “one of the best examples of a civil war fort within the metropolitan Washington, DC region”.  She indicated that the park was identified by the National trust for Historic Preservation as one of the ten most endangered sites in 2006.  Ms. Cumbey said “the park is one of the best preserved sites in the remaining system of Civil Ward defenses of Washington, DC”.  The park includes some of the original walls of the fort as well as a restoration of the buildings and features that existed in the 1860’s.

Evidently Ft. Ward is the 5^th largest of the 143 defenses of Washington, DC.  The fort was started in 1861 and is a model of military engineering for that time period.  According to Ms. Cumbey the fort was dismantled in 1865.  The wood and amorment were removed and the earthmounds abandoned.  Despite the abandonment the fort largely stayed in tact until the early 1950’s when the residents and leaders of the City’s west-end became aware of the historic asset.  These leaders sought to make the area a historic site and park.  They were assisted by the Seminary Hill Association.

Dorothy Starr was instrumental and encouraged the City to do archeological research and the first City preservation project.  These and other efforts lead to the designation of Ft. Ward Park in 1964.  The park opened on Memorial DSay in 1964 and was given National Civil War Centennial Recognition and Ms. Starr was honored for her work.

Since the creation of the park work has been done to stop the erosion of the earthworks, the gun platforms were replaced and there has been a renovation of the Ft. Ward Centennial Gate.

Ms. Cumbey noted that the park museum has over 4,000 objects and interprets Civil War-time Alexandria and the defenses of Washington, DC..  She said, “There is no comparable visitor center [on this subject] in the DC area”.

Ms. Cumbey said that the museum was active in the Civil War Trails Program of VA and uses the trail to promote the economic benefits of heritage tourism.  For example, approximately 30,000 people visited Ft. Ward Park’s museum and historic site this past year.

Ms. Cumbey can be reached at Ft. Ward Park.  Her phone number is 703-838-4848. The website for the Ft. Ward Museum and Park is: http://oha.alexandriava.gov/fortward/

150^th Anniversary Ideas and Plans

The Sesquicentennial begins in 2001 but the events surrounding this historic event will start in 2009.  The leaders of WEBA and Ft. Ward Park have been involved in discussions for two years.  The Friends of Ft. Ward (see http:// oha.alexandriava.gov/fortward/fw-friends.html) entered into a fiscal sponsorship agreement to help the effort.  WEBA Leaders formed a committee for Alexandria and were scheduled to meet with Historic Alexandria on July 24, 2008.

Some of the efforts for the park and the west-end that are being discussed include:

• A September 20, 2009 event to recognize the City of Alexandria.  The event and the museum will be open to the public.
• A 2010 kick-off event with an evening program which will include music, re-enactors.  Ms. Vitello is thinking of a series of lectures on the Civil War that will be held in 2010 or sooner.
• A 2011 encampment is being considered to be held in Ben Branemen Park.  The event will include a balloon acesension.
• A 2012 Civil War Boat Cruise is being discussed to discuss the significance of the port, Alexandria waterfront, Ft. McNair, Roosevelt Island.  The boat tour may include a reception and dinner.
• A Civil War Re-enactment at Ft. Ward is being considered.  The event would be held on a weekend.
• A lecture series on the Civil War in Alexandria is being considered.
• Various projects involving Alexandria’s Office of Archeology and a Civil War Bicycle Tour are being considered.
• A symposium on the Defenses of Ft. Ward is being considered.

Audience Ideas and Comments

Following Ms. Cumbey’s remarks the audience was encouraged to make suggestions for the annieversary.  The following ideas were shared.

• The effort should be tied into the school system.
• The effort should be linked with Alexandria’s Black History effort.  There is an opportunity to show the point of view of African Americans during the Civil War.

Ms. Cumbey noted that the VA Commission wants to have diverse view incorporated.  She noted that there will be a public dedication of the Freeman’s Cemetery in 2011 or 2012 and promotion of the event will be important.

• The idea of encouraging restaurants to serve Civil War food during the anniversary was suggested.
• A scavenger contest was suggested.
• The effort should include the churches.
• The effort should involve the African America community.
• The anniversary should include the “home-front” storyline.  It could include religious groups and tell the story of the “uncivil war”.

Commonwealth of Virginia Anniversary Efforts

The Alexandria anniversary activities are being influenced and assisted by the Commonwealth of VA’s Sesquicentennial Commission.  The Commonwealth leaders are assisting communities to “understand our past and embrace our future” and they are working to develop a comprehensive exhbit for the anniversary by 2001.  For more information on the VA portion of this work (see: www.virginiacivilwar.org)

WEBA Assistance with the Anniversary

Ms. Vitello noted that Councilwoman Del Pepper has been involved in the Alexandria groups’ efforts.  She also noted that John Stanton and Shelia Roy Peck had the original idea to bring a committee together.

Ms. Vitello said that she “wants the West End to be the star in the crown of the anniversary”.  She said, Ft. Ward is the major Civil War site in the City and that Alexandria, VA is a Civil War site itself”.  She added that WEBA wants to bring the economic, tourism and historical people together and create a win-win situation for the celebration. “We want to promote Ft. Ward for outside and inside visitors”.

What Can You Do To Help?

Ms. Vitello offered the following ideas to business leaders and residents who want to help this anniversary effort.

• Get on the anniversary mail and phone list to work on or with the WEBA committee.  Provide your ideas, expertise and assistance to the effort.
• Tell your firneds and niehgbors about the effort.  Tell at least three of your friends.
• Give money to the anniversary effort.  Gifts to WEBA or the Friends of Ft. Ward Park, for the Sesquicentennial, will be tax deductible.  Businesses wishing to contribute can be a sponsor.  There are opportunities for others to be in-kind sponsors and monetary sponsors.
• The west-end business community is considering a promotion with a coupon book to encourage people to support stores that sponsor the anniversary.

Ms. Linda Vitello is the point of contact for further information on the WEBA effort.  Her phone number is 703-845-6156.  Her e-mail address is: lvitello@nvcc.edu

Review of the City’s Findings and Possible Immediate Actions for Fort Ward Park

Ms. Laura Durham

Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

1108 Jefferson Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

                          March 27, 2009

Subject:  Review of the City’s Findings and Possible Immediate Actions for Fort Ward Park

Dear Laura,

This letter is in response to the City’s request for comments on the presentation made on Wednesday March 18, 2009 by Kirk Kincannon, Director of the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities Department, and Lance Mallamo, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria.  I appreciate the effort the City is making to work with the residents on the future of Fort Ward Park. I encourage you to continue to work with us to reach agreement on how best to protect, manage, use and interpret the park and in doing so give the community back its history.

Although the remarks by Mr. Mallamo and Mr. Kincannon on the 18th were positive and promising the written recommendations do not reflect the array of public comments shared with and submitted to the City.  The “Possible Immediate Actions” that are presented and are included on the City’s website offer very few solutions to the problems that the public has identified. Frankly the groups and individuals I have been communicating with fear that the problems we have brought to you over the last two years will continue and the City’s idea to promote the park for non-historic special events will resurface. 

We hope that City of Alexandria government and elected officials will further review the many letters and comments from the public comment and develop more substantive possible actions for Fort Ward Park.  We also hope that the  City will complete the task of removing vehicles, equipment and debris from the maintenance and nursery area.  We were glad to see the vehicles and equipment being removed last week.  However, earlier today I noticed that automobiles were once again parked next to the graves of Clara Adams and her husband and that maintenance trucks from the City and  contract services were again using the yard.

The City’s ongoing concerns about funding and staff time are obviously real problems that limit your ability to do what is needed to protect and manage Fort Ward Park effectively.  Perhaps this economic climate is the right time to look at the park as more like a network of interlocked public-private partnerships.  More than ever now is the time for the City, in cooperation with partners, to establish a vision, prepare an action plan and then seek help from the broader community to make it a reality.  We believe that within the broader community are people with a whole set of talents that can make things happen.  Such a partner-centric approach may represent a radical departure from the way that Fort ward park has been managed but it offers the best hope for the future.

The following are my comments on possible immediate actions that should be included in the City’s proposal for Fort Ward Park.

1.  The Mayor and City Council should publicly announce that the City’s October 16, 2008 Fort Ward Park Facility Study and Recommendations be dropped from consideration and the City will continue to work with the public to develop an action plan for Fort Ward Park.

2.  To help complete the action plan, and assist with implementation of the plan, the City in cooperation with the Friends of Ft. Ward Park should Create a Fort Ward Park Citizens Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee should be directed to continue to work with the City and engage the public over the next 60-90 days in a collaborative process to develop the action plan for Fort Ward Park.  Extra time will provide for discussions and consensus agreement to be reached on park issues including noise, alcohol, park uses, management of crowds, and master planning.  Once the action plan is prepared in draft it should be presented to the public for final review and comments.  After a public review period and final revisions the action plan can be submitted to the Mayor and City Council for consideration and approval.

3.  The City should move the maintenance and nursery yard operations, and their buildings, materials, compost piles, and vehicles, to another City-owned property.  All city and contract vehicles should be restricted from this area.

In addition, the City should place signs near the existing grave sites and likely burial areas to recognize those who are buried within the park. Arrangements should be made for the City to allow the families of those buried within the park to be able to display wreaths on or near grave sites.

4.  The Mayor and City Council, working with the City Manager should add $150,000 in City funds in the 2010 budget for cleaning the maintenance and nursery yard, and beginning archeological and historical research and surveys in 2010 to locate African American graves and structures.  

The ground within this area should be seeded or covered with sod, and regularly maintained, until the City’s Office of Archeology can their surveys and studies and develop a stewardship plan for their conservation, protection and interpretation.

5.  Using the funds noted in item #3. the City should immediately provide temporary protection for the Jackson Family grave area, which is identified in the City’s General Layout [Plan] for Fort Ward Park dated March 1965.  This temporary protection should continue until the City‘s Office of Archeology can study and survey the grave sites and develop a stewardship plan for their conservation, protection and interpretation.

6.  The City should provide funding within 2011 budget and beyond to the City’s Archeological Office for archeological and historical studies and surveys for the Maintenance Yard and Nursery area; the Jackson Family grave site; and other areas where African American descendants have lived, worshiped, were educated and been buried.  

7.  The Mayor and City Council, with the City Manager, should add funds to the 2010 budget for the Fort Ward Park Museum to develop interpretive displays, including walking tours, on the people and activities of the pre-and post Civil War periods, within the Museum and outside within the park.  These displays should be completed in time for the start of the sesquicentennial celebration of the Civil War in 2011.

8.  The City should evaluate the option of consolidating the primary management of the Fort Ward Historical Park under the leadership of the Office of Historic Alexandria, with maintenance and visitor services provided by Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, and, or, a private contractor.  The historic resources of the park, as well as the inappropriate management decisions regarding the protection of those resources and public involvement, warrant consideration of a different approach to the management of this park.  If approved, this change could be announced as part of the City’s 2011 sesquicentennial celebration of the Civil War.

We appreciate your willingness to work with the residents of the City and other park, Civil War, African American, and historic interests to protect, conserve, manage and maintain Fort Ward Park for the education and enjoyment of this important historical park.

Sincerely,

Glenn

J. Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

Cc. Mayor & City Council, City Manager, Kincannon, Mallamo

Possible Options for Engaging Communities in Fort Ward Park

Possible Options for Engaging Communities in Fort Ward Park

DRAFT April 9, 2009

(These are not in priority order)

1.  Public input for the City meetings next week

a.  Budget hearing April 13, 2009

b.  City Council work session April 14, 2009

c.  City Council Candidates Debate April 16, 2009

2.  Need for public or private grant money for Adrienne Washington to assist with oral history interviews

3.  Consider VA Threatened Historic Landmark Status

4.  Public African American Remembrance Events and Signs

5.  Fort Ward Family Reunion

a.  Workshop with living residents and family members to share, listen, learn and teach

b.  Picnic with interpretive tours

6.  Civil War Sesquicentennial Plans for Fort Ward Park

a.  Fort Ward Forums

7.  Move the management of Fort Ward Park to the Office of Historic Alexandria to manage as a Historical Park

Fort Ward Park: We need your help!

                                                   Tuesday February 19, 2009

Dear Neighbors,

We need your help!  

Over the last several summers the City of Alexandria has repeatedly permitted large groups of people, from several hundred to nearly one-thousand, to use the community picnic areas in Fort Ward Park.  These groups played amplified music which far-exceeded the City’s Noise Ordinance and created traffic and parking problems inside and outside the park.  In addition the City has expanded the size and intensity of the park maintenance operation to serve other City parks without regard to homeowners or the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.

The City  is currently circulating a proposal to expand existing parking and picnic areas within Fort Ward Park that will intensify the use of the park and increase noise and traffic problems within our neighborhood.

The leaders of the City Parks & Recreation Department and the Alexandria Parks & Recreation Commission are advocating that Fort Ward Park be used for more City-wide “special events”, and have scheduled an all-day Memorial Day Jazz Festival on May 25, 2009.

Leaders from Marlboro Estates, the Seminary Hill Association, Inc., the Oakland Baptist Church,  the Friends of Fort Ward Park, and other government and private organizations are concerned that the City’s proposal will adversely impact important historical and cultural values of Fort Ward Park and the quality of life of adjacent homes.

Please plan to attend and share your views at the Fort Ward Park public meeting on Wednesday February 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m..  The meeting will be held at St. Stephens & St. Agnes School at 4301 West Braddock Road. 

I hope to see you tomorrow night!  Please call me if you have questions.

Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA

703-845-8947

City of Alexandria Schedules Community Meetings on Fort Ward Park and Facility Improvements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2009

City of Alexandria Schedules Community Meetings on Fort Ward Park and Facility Improvements

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Office of Historic Alexandria invite the public to attend community meetings to provide input on the current facilities and operations at Fort Ward Park, located at 4301 West Braddock Rd. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, 4401 West Braddock Rd., and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Each meeting will follow the same agenda and format.

The purpose of the meetings is to provide City staff with ideas and suggestions which will help define improvements needed at Fort Ward Park. City staff will use the ideas generated from these two meetings to review community and user concerns, and to prioritize a draft action plan for park improvements.

A third community meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of T. C. Williams High School, 3330 King St. This meeting’s purpose is to present the findings and take comments on the draft action plan.

Residents unable to attend the meetings can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Laura Durham, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or laura.durham@alexandriava.gov through Friday, March 13.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, please call Laura Durham, Open Space Coordinator, at 703.838.5095, ext. 412 (TTY 703.838.4902), or e-mail laura.durham@alexandriava.gov.

Update on Fort Ward Park--Twelve Things You Should Know

Subject: Update on Fort Ward Park--Twelve Things You Should Know
                                                                               

                                                                                       Date: May 14, 2009

Dear Seminary Hill Association, Inc. Board Members & Liaisons, 

Discussions continue related to the protection, management and use of Fort Ward Park. On Thursday April 30, 2009 Tom Fulton, Adrienne Washington, Dave Cavanaugh, Fran Terrell, and I, met with Rich Baier, Acting Director of the City's Recreation & Parks Department, and Lance Mallamo, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria. The group walked the park for two hours while discussing various concerns, issues, alternatives and actions related to Fort Ward Park. Mr. Mallamo and Mr. Baier provided news about the City's efforts to address some of the ongoing problems in the park including the following information.

1. The City is removing vehicles, equipment, and materials from the maintenance yard and nursery area. Known graves within the park will be protected with temporary fencing and studied by the City's Office of Archeology. Water runoff, from the City's maintenance yard, that is damaging graves within the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery will be studied to determine what can be done quickly to prevent the erosion of headstones and the subsidence of graves. The City will look into moving the mulch piles next to Marlboro Estate homeowners and African American graves.

2. The City Council has added and approved $50,000 in the 2010 Alexandria budget to begin doing archeology work to identify graves and buildings related to African Americans who lived, worked, worshiped, and are buried on the land that is now Fort Ward Park. The City has also been made aware of funding available for Fort Ward Park from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the U.S. Congress through the efforts of Congressman Jim Moran.

3. The City Council is considering establishing a multi-stakeholder Fort Ward Park Advisory Commission to help address problems and plan for the future of the area. Appointments to this group will be approved by the Council and subject to the City's Open Meetings Act. Various interests from around the City will be selected to participate on this Commission following a more formal and traditional process. The Commission and the date of its first meeting will be announced in the future.

4. The City will create a Fort Ward Park Staff & Community Working/ Stewardship Group that will be open to everyone.  More information has been promised by the City.

5. The City is hiring a new Park Ranger to help manage the use of Fort Ward Park on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer.  Walter Powell, the Chief of Park Maintenance for this sector, started to perform these duties last weekend and will serve to assist park users and help to see that existing laws and permit conditions are carried out.

6. The City will continue to promote and allow park users to use alcohol at Fort Ward Park with a permit from the Commonwealth of VA Alcohol Control Board.

7. The City expects to set a maximum limit of 250 people on existing picnic areas. The maximum limit of people using the amphitheater will be set at 100.

8. The Fort Ward Park facility development plans that the Recreation & Parks Department is proposing in the City's October 2008 plan for the area, have been postponed until further notice. City park managers will continue to do grass mowing, tree trimming and rut-repair work.

9. Unfortunately it appears that the City will not complete the Fort Ward Park Action Plan that managers proposed at the public meetings in February and March 2009. Mr. Mallamo, former Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon, and Judy Noritake, the Chair of the Recreation & Parks Advisory Commission, presented an abbreviated list of actions to the Mayor and City Council on April 14, 2009 indicating that the public endorsed the list. None of the City's findings, that were presented at one of the public meetings were shared with the Council. Also provided by Ms. Noritake was a list of unfunded requests for 2009. Fort Ward Park Improvements were listed as Priority III (Long Term). The Arboretum, facility, plantings, signage and marketing, was listed as Priority II (Medium Term).

A number of citizens who attended, or watched, the Council meeting have written to Council asking that the public comments be used and the action plan completed. .

10.  The effort to protect and manage the use of Fort Ward Park was featured in stories in the Alexandria Gazette Packet, Alexandria Times, and on National Public Radio/ WMAU radio.

11.  The community leaders let Rich and Lance know that plans are being discussed to celebrate the birthday of Clara Adams in early June. Ms. Adams, who is buried with her husband within the Fort Ward Park maintenance yard and nursery area, was one of the founders of the Oakland Baptist Church. Her birthday is June 2, 2009 and family members and neighbors are discussing a day and time to honor her memory. More information is available if you are interested in attending the ceremony.

12.  The City’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services began an outreach effort on May 13, 2009 at T.C. Williams High School to receive feedback from the public on stormwater management problem areas and needs, funding options, and next steps.  The City’s presentation included a proposal for a new source of funding based on new tax on assessed real estate property value; or a storm water management fee based on impervious areas. 

The meeting was the first of four meetings to be held.  Glenn Eugster presented information to City officials and their consultants on Fort Ward Park maintenance yard storm water problems impacting the Oakland Baptist Church cemetery.  Information was also presented on storm water problems in the drainage swale between the cemetery and the park road that have periodically created problems for property owners in Marlboro Estates.  Community leaders discussed this problem earlier with Rich Baier on April 30, 2009.

Mr. Baier and Mr. Mallamo expressed considerable interest in working with the citizens of Alexandria to find ways to better protect, manage and enjoy Fort Ward Park. Hopefully future dialogue will be an opportunity to listen to the City's plans for the park and ask questions. I sincerely hope that you will make time to join us for this important gathering.

If you have questions or comments please let me know.

Thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Glenn

J. Glenn Eugster

Seminary Hill Association, Inc. Board Member--Area 6

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

703-845-8947 (h)

703-489-4207 (c)

glenn_eugster@comcast.net

Council Work Session on Fort Ward Park

To: Mayor, City Council, and City Manager,

Subject: Council Work Session on Fort Ward Park

Date: April 20, 2009

On Tuesday April 14, 2009 I attended the City Council Meeting and listened to the discussions related to the Work Session on Fort Ward Park.  I also had the opportunity to review the April 14, 2009 correspondence from Kirk Kincannon and Lance Mallamo to Councilman Wilson; and the April 14, 2009 correspondence from Judy Guse Noritake, on behalf of the Park and Recreation Commission, to the City Council.

Although I appreciate your willingness to discuss Fort Ward Park, I found the oral and written presentations to Council inaccurate and misleading.  For the record the following information should be noted and considered by Council as you continue to work to address park problems and community concerns.

First, the statements and reports made at the work session indicated that the discovery of African-American graves in the park was a recent development is inaccurate. In fact, Clara Adams has been buried in the area that is now used for the maintenance yard since February 1, 1952.  Neighbors and City employees indicate that workers removed gravestones from existing graves when the City decided to expand the maintenance and nursery area.  In 1995 City workers interviewed Mr. Young, a former resident of the area, who indicated the approximate location of the graves in the maintenance yard.  In April 2008 I contacted the managers of Black History Museum, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities Department, Fort Ward Park Operations and Maintenance, and the Office of Historic Alexandria about marked and unmarked graves and no action was taken until March of 2009.

Moreover, at the time that the City began the expansion of the maintenance yard there was no consideration given to the impact of this change on the marked graves within the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.  Alterations to the maintenance yard continue to create water runoff problems that are causing grave stones to erode and grave sites to subside.  

Second, the statements and reports outlined a list of seven possible immediate actions to be taken to address identified issues and concerns.  It was said and written that “the community members and stakeholders attending the March 18, 2009 meeting endorsed the action list”.  It was also written that “there was general agreement in the community that these were appropriate steps to take at this time”.  In fact, the list of immediate actions does not accurately reflect the input of the public meetings or the written comments the City received.  For example, none of the Findings that were presented at the March 18, 2009 public meeting were shared with the Council.   Most importantly the list of actions that was presented on March 18, 2009 were not endorsed by the community leaders or stakeholders.  City officials asked the audience to comment on the outline that was presented to the public and said that the action plan would be revised based on the comments received following the meeting.

In addition, the City presenters at the March 18, 2009 public meeting said that they “were supportive of an agreement with the community” to determine “the mission and vision of Fort Ward Park“.

Finally, the oral statements and written reports presented at the Council work session regarding the use of alcohol in the park contradict recent actions the City Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Department has taken to post regulations in Fort Ward Park.  Earlier this month the City posted Park Regulations & Rules” on information kiosks and metal signs throughout the park indicating that,  “The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited”.  These notices and signs contradict the stated desire of the Mayor Eullie to be able to have selected groups who use the park use alcohol.  In response to the Mayor’s interest Mr. Kincannon said that his department is “looking at applications for the use of alcohol in the park on a permit-by-permit basis”. 

Although Mr. Kinacannon concluded his remarks to the City Council by indicating that “We are prepared for problems this year”, it does not appear that community concerns and problems at Fort Ward Park have been addressed.  The input that community leaders and stakeholders have provided to the City can help solve the ongoing problems that have been brought to your attention over the last eighteen months.  It will however take City action and commitment to follow through rather than the broad general statements communicated to the Council on April 14, 2009.

Please let me know if we can assist in developing the action plan that the City promised when the public involvement process began.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

J. Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA. 22304