Fort Ward Park – Public Comments Received March 18 – March 27, 2009

Fort Ward Park – Public Comments Received March 18 – March 27, 2009

Dear Laura,
This letter is in response to the City’s request for comments on the future of Fort Ward Park.

We attended the meeting on March 18 and were encouraged by the comments of Mr. Mallamo and Mr. Kincannon. We are concerned, however, that their sentiments may never be put into action, particularly in light of Mr. Kincannon's imminent departure. We are also concerned that vehicles are still being driven and parked near, if not over, grave sites.

We hope that the City Council will call for the creation of a Fort Ward Park Citizens Advisory Committee, direct city staff to work with that committee to develop a master plan for the improvement and use of the park. We also ask that the Council set specific dates for the presentation of a proposed plan to the public in a public forum, for a public comment period, and for subsequent presentation of a revised plan to the Council.
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Dear Ms. Durham,
The Friends of Fort Ward have asked me to submit our thoughts in response to the City of Alexandria’s initial plan of action for Fort Ward Park, outlined on March 18, 2009.

In broad strokes, the Friends are heartened by the City’s response to the concerns raised by various groups and individuals – ranging from neighbors, historic preservationists, descendants of those who lived in what is today the Park, and others – regarding Fort Ward Park. We are very pleased that the City acknowledges that regardless of what particular actions are taken, preservation and interpretation of the historic character of the Park – including both Civil War-era Fort Ward itself and archaeological or historic evidence from other eras, such as the graves of those who lived on the park site after the Civil War – must be paramount. We think that from this understanding that history must come first in any prioritization of civic values relating to the Fort Ward Park site, room can be found to reasonably accommodate the other worthy civic values implicated in any use of the Park.

The real demonstration of the City’s conviction to address the issues surrounding Fort Ward Park will be its actions, however, and not its plans or words. Using public comment, the City has identified several immediate-term actions that it hopes to undertake within a short space of time. The Friends will look forward to such actions getting underway as soon as possible. Relocation of maintenance equipment away from the graves located in the Park maintenance yard is a positive start, and we await the progress on the other items outlined on March 18. We are aware that other short-term actions may be identified in the coming days as the City’s plans are digested; as long as such actions are consistent with the broad strokes the City has put forward, those actions are also likely to enjoy the Friends’ support.

The City also committed to a longer-term planning process for Fort Ward Park, using the feedback it obtained at two community meetings and through general public comment.

City of Alexandria - Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Fort Ward Park Community Meetings

The Friends recognize the need for thoughtful and comprehensive planning to ensure that as many issues and concerns of stakeholders are addressed as possible. We look forward to the start of such a process, and we look forward to participating in it if we can. We do not expect the City to rely, however, on such a long-term planning process as a reason to defer short-term actions that can be taken at the Park in the meantime, assuming such short-term steps are fiscally reasonable.

In conclusion, the Friends are guardedly optimistic that meaningful improvements for Historic Fort Ward, Fort Ward Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods are possible as a result of the City’s March 18, 2009 initial plan of action. We look forward to doing our part to assist the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities and the Office of Historic Alexandria in continuing to tell the story of Historic Fort Ward, as well as all of those stories that Fort Ward Park has yet to divulge.
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Dear Ms. Durham,
This is in response to the City’s presentation made on March 18, 2009 at TC Williams High School, regarding the protection, management and future use of Fort Ward Park, which has been nationally recognized for its significance to the Civil War. I appreciate the opportunity to address this issue once again.

As I mentioned in my previous comments, I have worked for the federal government for 31 years and I am all too familiar with the federal agencies at times making final decisions in advance of the official public comment period. Fortunately that practice occurs less often because of strong Congressional oversight. While the presentation on March 18, 2009 by the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Department finally set aside their plan for large events, which included additional paving of the historic site. The groups and individuals involved in these discussions over the last 1 ½ years are concerned that the Recreation Department will merely set it aside their October 2008 plan only to bring it back at a later date. In fact, despite the promising words that evening, we suspect that funding for the 2008 plan's implementation is still contained in the City's current and proposed budget. We are aware that the city has already purchased at least one very large pavilion that is now in storage. This must have been done prior to the “public meetings”.

I attended two of the three public meetings and I was impressed that more than 200 individuals participated in this opportunity for citizen input. After reviewing the meeting results it was clear that there was not one voice supporting the proposed plan that has been featured on the City’s website for six months.

The public continues to be mindful that the Parks Department was prepared to ram the project through regardless of the legitimate concerns expressed by many groups and individuals including neighboring communities, Oakland Baptist Church members, Seminary Hill Association board members, the Alexandria Historic Society, the Alexandria Archeological Commission, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and others whose families lay buried on the site. For a relatively small town in the shadow City of Alexandria of our Nation’s Capitol, this does not speak well of the City’s elected officials or its employees.

This historic park is not only about the African American graves but it is where slaves freed after the war lived, attended school, and worshiped. This situation reminds me of a written request to our subcommittee by Jesse Jackson Jr. He asked for report language that instructed the U.S. National Park Service to include the entire story of the Civil War before, during and after in their visitor centers’ and interpretive displays throughout the country, as they needed to be replaced or upgraded. This is what is needed at Fort Ward Park – recognition that African Americans, freed by President Lincoln, lived, raised families and died free men and women within this historic area.

Despite Roger Blakely’s repeated threats and arrogant public statements about not being able to take action on our proposals or continue basic services at Fort Ward because of reductions to the City budget, we understand that the City current and proposed budget include significant plans to fund additional paved parking areas, paved trails, new restrooms, and additional picnic pavilions. I have spent the last 17 years working on federal budgets, and I am aware that there are times when difficult decisions have to be made. However, it is clear to all of us that the City has proposed to spend large sums of money on the 2008 plan that has been on the City’s web site for six months. It would seem appropriate and justified to reallocate those funds to support the actions listed below.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Immediately remove all evidence of the Maintenance Yard including stones, fencing, and other materials.
(we acknowledge the City removed many of the vehicles immediately after the public meeting on the 18th)
2. Immediately remove the area used by the arborist. Many area residents remember what was envisioned at this site and the early days where beautiful gardens flourished. However, users of the park have watched the dramatic deterioration the last 15 years. It is a maintenance area with trash and broken pots strewn everywhere, maintenance vehicles, broken machinery, tools and large compost piles and landscape debris. The relatives of Clara Adams, and the others that are buried here have had their grave markers destroyed, and the environment is disrespectful to those buried there. Even as a working area, it always unclean and unkept. This area should be immediately moved to another location. This simple work can be done anywhere.
3. After everything is removed, seed and, or, sod the area completely. The City should insure that adequate funds are made available for appropriate archeology /historical survey’s and studies as well as interpretive markers for the grave sites, the overall park area and the Museum. However, removing all materials in the
City of Alexandria - Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Fort Ward Park Community Meetings
maintenance area and the potting/compost area should be removed and returned to a more natural state this year.
Finally, all of the interested parties would like a public acknowledgement and commitment from the Mayor and City Council that the above mentioned actions will be funded from this year on until the Park appropriately acknowledges and respects the story of the people who lived on this land after the war and the plan promoted by the Recreation and Park Department will never be raised again. In an ideal situation, the park should be moved from the Recreation and Parks Department and made the responsibility of the Office of Historic Alexandria. City elected officials and employees should understand that our groups do not trust the Recreation and Parks Department. They have proudly demonstrated that they do not respect the public’s input and were determined to move forward on this huge new change without the public’s consent. The mowing and landscape maintenance could easily be contracted. The City has always contracted a significant part of the City’s workload including planning and landscaping.

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Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the action plan for Fort Ward Park. I look forward to hearing more about the City's plan for protecting and managing this special area.

Good meeting last night at TC. It was conducted well and very informative. Thank you all for your efforts.

Suggestion. One of the slides showed a map of Fort Ward with boundaries that extended across Braddock Road on to Episcopal High School's property. This would be an excellent location for a large sign with arrow that indicates Fort Ward is across the street. Why not ask Episcopal to donate that piece of land to the city? They should readily do that with all that the city does for them, i.e. fire and EMS protection, free schooling for the faculty kids (they don't pay property taxes).
Subject: Review of the City’s Findings and Possible Immediate Actions for Fort Ward Park
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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
City of Alexandria - Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Fort Ward Park Community Meetings
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.
City of Alexandria - Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Fort Ward Park Community Meetings
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.
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Dear Mr. Kincannon:
We, the descendants of African Americans, who lived and worked in the Ft. Ward and Virginia Theological Seminary communities and who founded the Oakland Baptist Church more than a century ago, wish to thank the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation for the opportunity to comment on the proper future uses and projects we hope will maintain and preserve the historic significance of Ft. Ward. Several of us have attended the recent public meetings and contributed to the community process of determining what’s best for the 32-acre historic site as the city moves forward into this century.

We understand the current environmental concerns, particularly of the Friends of Ft. Ward and the neighboring communities, like the Seminary Civic Association on Quaker Lane, Woods Avenue and Woods Place, where many of the descendant families still reside.

It is our premiere desire that the long overlooked and neglected history of the African Americans, who worked the land, owned the land, are buried on the land, and were summarily displaced from the land, be restored, preserved and commemorated in a formal fashion, especially as we come upon the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War.
Our greatest fear is that the historic areas of the park, which contain marked and unmarked graves, will be further desecrated and the valuable contributions of African-American slaves, contraband and freedman will be lost forever if overburdening recreational uses at Ft. Ward Park are expanded before mandatory archeological and historical studies are conducted and completed.

As discussed during the recreation department planning meetings this year, we encourage:
 Removal of trash, debris, equipment, etc., from around the gravesites of Clara Adams and her husband, that are currently located in the city’s park and recreation maintenance yard and nursery on the east side of Ft. Ward Park.
Page 2- Seminary Civil Association
 Eventual relocation of the maintenance yard and nursery which we are certain is the location of other unmarked graves, a former school, church
and homes of African Americans dating back before, during and after the Civil War.
City of Alexandria - Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Fort Ward Park Community Meetings
 Fencing or some other protective barrier around the marked graves outside of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and near the maintenance lot.
 Establishing a walking tour of the historic Ft. Ward African-American community after further historic and archeological study.
 Inclusion of historic markers throughout the park that note significant points about the Ft. Ward African-American community.
 Inclusion of an exhibit about the Ft. Ward/Seminary African-American community in the Ft. Ward Museum.

We offer our support and assistance in making improvement to Ft. Ward Park that we believe will benefit all Alexandrians and future generations in knowing the full history of our great city.

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Dear Ms. Durham
The March 18, 2009 meeting provided a wonderful opportunity for the City, affected communities, and members of the Oakland Baptist Church to dialogue and come to tentative agreement regarding proposed changes to the historic Fort Ward Park. I visited the Park two days after the meeting and was gratified to see that the City had moved with such due diligence and alacrity to preserve the sanctity and dignity of the gravesites by removing all of the maintenance equipment from the area.

We have read carefully the remarks of Dave Cavanaugh and concur wholeheartedly with his comments and recommendations. It is our wish that the Department Directors, Mr. Kincannon and Mr. Mallamo, come forward with a firm budget and policy commitments that implement a plan protecting the park, preserving the history of the African American community, post Civil War, and the preservation of the grave sites, and ensuring it will be ready for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

We also believe that the suggested written Memorandum of Understanding to be provided by the City detailing the plans for the park as set forth in the March 18 meeting would go a long way to ensure that the City and involved communities are on the same page, thereby, combating confusion and frustration as we go forth.

As an African American community whose ancestors are buried at the Ft Ward Park, who are post-Civil War residents of the community, who have made repeated sacrifices and displacements through the decades for the betterment of all Alexandrians, i.e. widening of King Street, TC Williams High School, Ft Ward Park itself, we now ask that the city recognize our many contributions. We ask that you preserve our history and honor our ancestors with a firm written commitment to the plans presented on March 18, returning Ft Ward to its original historic mission while at the same time including the African-American presence.

We look forward to working with you in whatever capacity necessary to bring this project to a successful and much anticipated conclusion. For I, too, have family members lying at rest in Ft. Ward. Thank you for your consideration and the opportunity to have input.

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Dear Ms. Durham
The March 18, 2009 meeting went along way to alleviate some of the citizen concerns regarding proposed changes to the historic Fort Ward Park.
At the meeting, Kirk Kincannon, Director, Department of Recreation and Parks and Cultural Activities and Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria provided assurances that nothing would be done at the park to disturb known grave sites.

However, the draft Action Plan presented at the meeting was a list of “possible immediate solutions”, with no clear plan or commitments addressing citizen concerns. The PowerPoint presentation left many questions unanswered making it difficult to provide constructive comments. The Department Directors should come forward with firm budget and policy commitments that implement a plan protecting the park and ensuring it will be ready for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

One slide provided only a glimpse of what may be considered an “Action Plan”.
“Possible Immediate Actions” (Power Point Slide)
 Staff/community working groups.
Questions: Who would establish the groups? What would be their responsibility? Would an ad hoc group suffice?
 Phased plan for relocation of maintenance facility.
Questions: Again who would develop plan? What would be the conditions for evaluating a reasonable timetable for removal of the maintenance yard and restoring the area to the park?
 Community notification of park and nursery operations.
Questions: Who would provide notification? Does this infer consultation with neighborhood groups? Does notification occur before or after a decision is made?
 Two week moratorium on rentals, with longer term reductions in site availability.
Questions: What purpose does a two week moratorium on rentals serve? What other measures will be implemented immediately to prevent overcrowding, unacceptable noise levels and alcohol consumption in the park.
City of Alexandria - Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Fort Ward Park Community Meetings
 Controlled access available for grave sites.
Questions: Does this infer the maintenance yard will not be moved anytime soon? Does it also mean the gravesites in the maintenance yard will be excluded from historic interpretation of the African American experience? Is a maintenance yard on a historic area of the park with graves an appropriate use of park land?
 Signage and enforcement of “no alcohol” and “no amplified noise” without permit policies.
Questions: When will RPCA adopt, implement and enforce provisions prohibiting no alcohol and no amplified noise? Under what circumstances would RPCA permit alcohol and amplified noise?
 Early April walking tours w/working group and public.
Questions: Is a walking tour the only acceptable method for recognizing the African American contribution to the Civil War period? Who would be the lead on developing the walking tour? Would the walking tour be incorporated into the historic interpretation of events at Fort Ward during and immediately after the Civil War? How can a meaningful walking tour be developed when the location of the school and the gravesites are behind locked chain linked fences?

Although the presentation was well received, it failed to outline a meaningful process to protect resources and mitigate problems identified by citizens.
Much of information regarding an African American School, the Clara Adams gravesite and other burials was available to the City when the Park was first developed.

Regretfully, this period of in-action and disregard for the African-American experience during and after the Civil War makes it more compelling that the City take action now, not later.

Under the circumstances I suggest a process and a plan to develop interim guidance for managing the park and develop a more diverse interpretation of historic events in time for the Civil War Sesquicentennial. This plan integrates park maintenance, operation, resource protection and a more inclusive interpretation of history at the park.

City staff is in a difficult position responding to public pressures and attempting to balance the changing needs of the community. Your success and our success is dependent on establishing trust relationships, working together towards consensus, and groups being receptive to thoughtful comments and suggestions regarding management of public resources. Public support of decisions regarding use of public historic parks can reduce maintenance, operations and resource protection costs.

I recognize this is a busy time for City staff. However, citizens have rallied and provided responses to requests for comments and suggestions regarding management and use of the park. It is my hope that all interested parties can sit down together and collectively work through the various issues identified at the public meetings.

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Dear Ms. Durham,
Attached is my letter in response to the city's presentation March 18, 2009 of its plans for Ft. Ward Park going forward which seem to indicate that the your agencies listened to community concerns particularly regarding honoring the marked and unmarked gravesites on the property. However, the main point of my letter is to seek a firm detailed and written commitment, as well as the verbal assurances we received at the meeting, that the city intends to use its resources to preserve the park for its original intended purpose as a historic park for which the African-Americans made major sacrifices. It is my fervent hope that the rental uses o the park are not expanded until the history is fully investigated and honored preferably with permanent exhibits, also as pledged during the March 18 meeting.

Also, I would like to request that in the future, we have more than one week to gather and present responses to city meetings.

Again, thank you for this opportunity to have input in this project and l look forward to working with the appropriate agencies going forward.

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Dear City Mayor, City Council Members, City Manager, City Staffers of the Alexandria Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, and Fellow Alexandrians:
The March 18, 2009 meeting provided a wonderful opportunity for the City, affected communities, and members of the Oakland Baptist Church to dialogue and come to tentative agreement regarding proposed changes to the historic Fort Ward Park. I visited the Park after the meeting and was gratified to see that the City had moved with such due diligence and alacrity to preserve the sanctity and dignity of the gravesites by removing most of the maintenance equipment from major portions of the area.

I have read carefully the remarks of Dave Cavanaugh and Glen Eugster and concur wholeheartedly with their comments and recommendations. It is our wish that the Department Directors, Mr. Kincannon and Mr. Mallamo, come forward with a firm, written Memorandum of Understanding that spells out in detail the budget and policy commitments that implement a plan protecting the park, preserving the history of the African American community, post Civil War, and the preservation of the grave sites, and ensuring it will be ready for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

As I mentioned in an earlier letter, I have relatives, including Clara Adams, Bernie and William Terrell and Randalls, who are buried on the Ft. Ward grounds. I am currently in the process of conducting interviews to collect more information from the descendants of the Ft. Ward families to further document the African-American experience in this part of Alexandria. The sacrifices the African-American families of the Ft. Ward and Seminary communities have repeatedly made for decades toward the betterment of all Alexandrians include the relocation of their homesteads several times, for example, to make way for the widening of King Street, the construction of T.C. Williams High School, and the establishment of Ft. Ward as a historic city park. We are now asking that the city recognize our considerable contributions by providing the descendants with the opportunity to help the appropriate city agencies in efforts to restore and preserve our history and honor our ancestors with firm written commitments to the plans presented on March 18 that will return Ft. Ward Park to its original historic mission which will include the historic African-American presence going forward.

As Mr. Cavanaugh has noted, “at the meeting, Kirk Kincannon, Director, Department of Recreation and Parks and Cultural Activities and Lance Mallamo, Director, Office of Historic Alexandria provided assurances that nothing would be done at the park to disturb known grave sites.

However, the draft Action Plan presented at the meeting was a list of “possible immediate solutions”, with no clear plan or commitments addressing citizen concerns. The PowerPoint presentation left many questions unanswered making it difficult to provide constructive comments. The Department Directors should come forward with firm budget and policy commitments that implement a plan protecting the park and ensuring it will be ready for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

One slide provided only a glimpse of what may be considered an “Action Plan”.
“Possible Immediate Actions” (Power Point Slide)
Staff/community working groups.
Questions: Who would establish the groups? What would be their responsibility? Would an ad hoc group suffice?
Phased plan for relocation of maintenance facility.
Questions: Again who would develop plan? What would be the conditions for evaluating a reasonable timetable for removal of the maintenance yard and restoring the area to the park?
Community notification of park and nursery operations.
Questions: Who would provide notification? Does this infer consultation with neighborhood groups? Does notification occur before or after a decision is made?
Two week moratorium on rentals, with longer term reductions in site availability.
Questions: What purpose does a two week moratorium on rentals serve? What other measures will be implemented immediately to prevent overcrowding, unacceptable noise levels and alcohol consumption in the park.
Controlled access available for grave sites.
Questions: Does this infer the maintenance yard will not be moved anytime soon? Does it also mean the gravesites in the maintenance yard will be excluded from historic interpretation of the African American experience? Is a maintenance yard on a historic area of the park with graves an appropriate use of park land?
Signage and enforcement of “no alcohol” and “no amplified noise” without permit policies.
Questions: When will RPCA adopt, implement and enforce provisions prohibiting no alcohol and no amplified noise? Under what circumstances would RPCA permit alcohol and amplified noise?
Early April walking tours w/working group and public.
City of Alexandria - Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Fort Ward Park Community Meetings
Questions: Is a walking tour the only acceptable method for recognizing the African American contribution to the Civil War period? Who would be the lead on developing the walking tour? Would the walking tour be incorporated into the historic interpretation of events at Fort Ward during and immediately after the Civil War? How can a meaningful walking tour be developed when the location of the school and the gravesites are behind locked chain linked fences?

Although the presentation was well received, it failed to outline a meaningful process to protect resources and mitigate problems identified by citizens.
Much of information regarding an African American School, the Clara Adams gravesite and other burials was available to the City when the Park was first developed.

Regretfully, this period of in-action and disregard for the African-American experience during and after the Civil War makes it more compelling that the City take action now, not later.

Under the circumstances I suggest a process and a plan to develop interim guidance for managing the park and develop a more diverse interpretation of historic events in time for the Civil War Sesquicentennial. This plan integrates park maintenance, operation, resource protection and a more inclusive interpretation of history at the park.

City staff is in a difficult position responding to public pressures and attempting to balance the changing needs of the community. Your success and our success is dependent on establishing trust relationships, working together towards consensus, and groups being receptive to thoughtful comments and suggestions regarding management of public resources. Public support of decisions regarding use of public historic parks can reduce maintenance, operations and resource protection costs.

I recognize this is a busy time for City staff. However, citizens have rallied and provided responses to requests for comments and suggestions regarding management and use of the park. It is my hope that all interested parties can sit down together and collectively work through the various issues identified at the public meetings.”

As a journalist and historian gathering oral histories and attempting to piece together the African-American story regarding this critical piece of American history, I anticipate many visitors wanting to travel to Ft. Ward during the Sesquicentennial. It would be a shame if the City of Alexandria fails to invest in this historic jewel and misses this welcome opportunity to show the park’s significant role in the development of this nation by not ensuring that the value of this historic enclave is not displayed in its full glory, or worse, goes unnoticed.

Along with other descendants and members of the Seminary/Ft. Ward community, I look forward to working with you to bring this project to a successful and much anticipated conclusion. Thank you.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ms. Durham:
At the March 17, 2009, meeting of the Historic Alexandria Resources Commission, the members voted to support the “Resolution Regarding Future Uses of Fort Ward Park” written by The Friends of Fort Ward.

The members discussed the importance of preserving, honoring and interpreting all the historic resources of the site while recognizing the importance of the park for appropriate recreational purposes. In addition, the celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War provides the City with an opportunity to re-examine the interpretation of the site, particularly with regard to the history of the African-American community at Fort Ward.

We appreciate the opportunity provided by the City to participate in the community meetings on the future of Fort Ward.

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Dear Ms. Durham:
I appreciate this further opportunity to comment on the progress as well as the major problems that remain to be addressed regarding Ft. Ward. The problems include uncertainties about (1) the future of the maintenance area and (2) the future of the Park in general. As the owners of the home closest to the maintenance area, I and my family have a great deal of concern about the City’s plans (or lack of plans) for the maintenance area and the Park. My family’s struggle with the City dates back 5 years now to the very beginning of our purchase of the property when I called to protest the dozens of old tires that furnished an ideal breeding ground for tiger mosquitoes 50 feet from my back door. Since that time, we have been caught up in a long, slow, time-and-energy-consuming struggle against the absolute ugliness of the maintenance area and the intrusions on residential privacy by noise and other problems coming from the Park. I appreciate the steps that the City has taken to address these problems, but I can now see that the problems I’ve encountered are part of a much profounder insensitivity shown by the City.

Regarding the maintenance area and its future, the central point seems to me to be the City's default on historical responsibility, as exhibited by the unfortunate decision to convert an African-American burial area into a maintenance area and cover graves with mulch and paving material. It's quite simply an act of unbelievable desecration. Judith Smith's testimony at the March 18, 2009 hearing, when she spoke of being "heartbroken" by seeing the gravesites of her relatives where she used to play as a child covered with mulch, sawdust, and paving stones, was very powerful. Ms. Smith’s comments and the comments by others at the meeting indicated that, in the words of one of them, they “have waited a long time”—more than 40 years, in fact—to see the City undo the desecration. Given the callousness of the City’s original decision and the decades which have gone by, the City should NOT allow more time to go by without decisive action to restore the maintenance area.
As rapidly as possible, the City should develop a clear-headed, action-oriented, and adequately funded plan for treating the site with the respect befitting a cemetery and a site of African-American history. It should be unthinkable to leave the area as an “unfunded mandate,” a victim of good intentions and no financial support. As an appropriate start, the City should make available the $150,000 that Mr. Glenn Eugster suggests in his comments and at the same time search aggressively for other sources of funds, which I strongly believe will be made available if the City itself shows a decent commitment to funding remedial measures. Given the pattern of graves within the Baptist cemetery, graves immediately outside it, and graves in the maintenance area, I'm beginning to suspect that the whole area may have been a burial ground. If that's the case, it only underscores the urgency of reinstating a due respect for history in general and African-American history in particular. Using its own funds and funds from additional sources, the City should take steps to undo the parking lot and other intrusions on the black cemetery. As an interim measure, it should remove the parking lot and plant grass in the area. It should also explore the actual history of the site in accordance with archaeological procedures and standards.

This concern for restoring the Park’s historical values should go hand in hand with the second major concern, that of restoring and reinvigorating the Park as the City’s Arboretum. The Park is designated as the City’s Arboretum, but the City has also had a hard time honoring this designation while it allowed the Park to degenerate into what I call Ft. Disco, a place for large crowds, amplified music, and consumption of alcohol. In visiting the Park since the early 1970s and in living next to the Park for the past 5 years, I’ve seen its trees and vegetation steadily declining. They have grown older or been cut down with apparently no corresponding replacements. I remember seeing (and counting) literally dozens of woodpecker nests in the 1970s. I expect there will be only a third as many this spring. The loss of habitat, the blind spot for nature that characterizes a great deal of modern attitudes and that has decimated bird species in the United States, has taken its toll in Ft. Ward as well. The City should balance a rediscovery of its respect for history in Ft. Ward with an equal emphasis on Ft. Ward as the City’s Arboretum.
Organizationally, the best way to reinvigorate this emphasis on history and nature in Ft. Ward is to consider giving joint responsibility for Ft. Ward’s future to the Department of Parks and Recreation and to the Office of Historic Alexandria. Such an approach would give additional leverage to the protection of Ft. Ward as a historical treasure. In giving greater visibility to the Park’s historical identity,

I believe that it would also help in obtaining funds from state and federal sources in undoing the damage to the Park’s history. The Mayor and City Council should actively consider this suggestion of shared responsibility as a key administrative step toward protecting both the historical and natural values that should be uppermost in the City’s plans for managing the future of Fort Ward.

Thank you for this opportunity for further comment.

Fort Ward Observer, December 3, 2009

Fort Ward Observer
Volume 1, Issue 3
December 3, 2009
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

Highlights

This issue includes information on the following Fort Ward Park activities plus much more.
City archaeological and historical research underway
Congress funds Fort Ward Park in 2010 budget.
Community research reveals park intent and purpose.
Community research confirms City knowledge of graves.
City meets with Seminary Civic Association.
Fort Ward Museum Historian co-author’s Mr. Lincoln’s Forts.
Homeowners express continuing concerns about storm water
Fort Ward Park Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group Appointed and to meet on December 8, 2009.

Purpose

Fort Ward Park was established by the City of Alexandria in 1964 through a collaborative effort which began in the early 1950’s between local homeowners, citizens, historians, civic associations, City park and planning department managers and local elected officials. The purpose of this report is to provide community interests with information on what is being considered, proposed and underway in Fort Ward Park and its surrounding area.

Good Things are Happening at Fort Ward Park

A number of actions have been taken this past month to address ongoing problems, more effectively manage and assist visitors, and protect the history, culture and natural resources of Fort Ward Park. Specifically city and community leaders have taken the following actions:

a. City Archaeology and Historical Research Underway:
The Office of Historic Alexandria is busy preparing for necessary historic research and archaeological surveys at Fort Ward Park. With the recent approval of 2010 funds by the City

Council managers and staff have been working on a “Scope
of Work” for a contract to do archaeological research. This investigation is the first part of what will be a multi-year project to locate, identify, evaluate, and interpret the full range of historical and cultural values and resources within Fort Ward Park. This information will be a foundation for good decision-making and can be used by the city to assist revisions to the existing master plans for the park. Once a contract is agreed to the actual research and survey work will take place in 2010.

b. Fort Ward Park History Workgroup Meets in October: On Saturday October 17, 2009 Lance Mallamo, Director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, convened the first meeting of the city’s Fort Ward Park History Workgroup. Mr. Mallamo told the audience that their role was to assist the city with research about the history and culture of the park. He emphasized the importance of this group’s role indicating that this effort would help to jump-start research on the park. He added that the city isn’t going to be able to do the work themselves. “We want to work with you. We want the focus to be what you want it to be”.

He described the work underway, including the test-use of radar to look for graves inside the park, as well as funding that is being provided by the City Council for archaeological research.

Susan Cumbey, Director of the Fort Ward Museum gave the group some background on the creation of the park and noted that this was the best place in metropolitan Washington, D.C. to see a reconstructed Civil War fort. She noted that this park was created as part of the Alexandria’s commitment to the Civil War Centennial in 1964 and that it was the first public preservation project in Alexandria.

People in the audience were engaged in discussion about the research effort and stressed the need for the city to:
Repair the city’s creditability with the community by being honest and open about past mistakes. Work and communicate with the community.
Recognize that the entire park is historic, sacred and rare.
Take a holistic approach to park management.
Involve the people who are connected historically to the park and who have been undervalued and left out of discussions and
decisions.
Tell the untold story of Native and African American history including an indoor display exhibit on African American history and culture for the Museum.
Improve the city’s understanding about this resource and what the park is about.
Look at the park as part of Alexandria’s upcoming the Civil War Sesquicentennial.
Link all efforts to finding funds.
Take down the city’s October 2008 Facilities Study & Recommendations displayed on the Alexandria website.
Take down the fence around the maintenance/ nursery yard and allow access to park graves.

Discussions included ideas for ways to interpret the history of the park, the gate that restricts access to Clara and Robert Adams graves, funding, and commemoration of the area where people lived and are buried. Tom Fulton of the city Archaeological Commission said that the park represents a “transformational change” worthy of historical significance. Pam Cressey told the group that “you can’t dream too much and that only the citizens of Alexandria can come up with the powerful ideas about this park“.

Ms. Cressey also noted that she wanted input on a Scope of Work the her office is preparing for the contract for archaeological research.

c. Fort Ward Park History Workgroup Meets in November: On Saturday November 7, 2009 Lance Mallamo and Pam Cressey of the Office of Historic Alexandria convened the second meeting of the Fort Ward Park History Workgroup. Mr. Mallamo opened the meeting with information on the city’s Fort Ward Park & Museum Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group. He noted that the City Manager was still confirming appointments to the group. Once the 10 members are confirmed and an announcement is expected.

Mr. Mallamo said that he did not think the Work Group’s earlier proposal to remove the maintenance/ nursery yard fence should be made until the Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group meets.

Ms. Cressey gave the group a report on the October 20 and 21, 2009 test of the radar detection equipment used to identify graves in the park. The tests included the maintenance/ nursery yard; the Jackson Family graves, graves at the entrance to the maintenance/ nursery yard, and other areas. With the permission of church officials the team also scanned the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Tom Fulton of the city’s Archaeological Commission assisted the team with scanning work.

Fran Terrell, Chairperson of the Seminary Civic Association, indicated that her organization created a Family Workgroup to help with research. She said that relatives of people that lived and are buried in the cemetery are helping to identify additional graves.

Ms. Cressey said that she expected to have a report on the test results in about two weeks. The results of the radar test will be used to help the city complete the scope of work for the archaeological research contract. The research which will start in 2010 is expected to take three-years to complete.

Mr. Mallamo added that he had submitted a $75,000 request for 2011 funding from the city to continue the archaeological research.

Ms. Cressey presented a Draft Report on an Inventory of the History of Fort Ward Park to the History Workgroup. The presentation gave the meeting participants an overview of the city’s report which is filled with interesting and important information about the historic and cultural values and resources of the park before, during and after the Civil War.

The purposes of this inventory are to:
1) Identify known resources;
2) Predict probable locations of additional resources predicted from a variety of sources;
3) Assess the significance and integrity of the resources;
4) Recognize the threats facing and opportunities presented by each resource;
5) Establish best practices for the care, investigation and enhancement of the resources; and
6) Delineate historical zones to assist in park planning.

The report will be provided to the company selected for the archaeology contract. It will give the consulting archaeologists an overview of the history of the site. Pam stressed that the history of the park needs to be researched before any digging can begin. She added that the city wants to start the contract work by early 2010.

Members of the workgroup, which is open to all, were encouraged to provide comments on the draft report to Ms. Cressey by no later than Friday December 11, 2009.

A number of smaller sub-groups were formed to further develop ideas and report at the next meeting on December 6, 2009 at 10:00 am at the Fort Ward Museum. The groups include:
Goals and Priorities Group
Research Group
Museum Group

The newly created Seminary Civic Association’s Family Group was offered the opportunity to report at the next meeting. There was also a brief discussion about the idea of workgroup members writing an article on the park and its history for publication. Several members of the workgroup indicated their interest.

d. Congress Funds Fort Ward Park: On October 30, 2009 Congress signed into law legislation that will provide $75,000 for Fort Ward Park Preservation. Federal funding for Fort Ward Park, which must be matched with non-federal monies, was requested at the urging of the Office of Historic Alexandria, the Mayor and City Council, by Congressman Jim Moran and his staff. At a time when local, Commonwealth and federal budgets are tightening managers and elected officials gave Fort Ward Park their priority attention.

The federal funding comes from Save America’s Treasures which is one of the largest and most successful grant programs for the protection of our nation’s endangered and irreplaceable cultural heritage. Grants are available for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and historic structures and sites. Intellectual and cultural artifacts include artifacts, collections, documents, sculpture, and works of art. Historic structures and sites include historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects.

The funds are to be used to preserve the Fort Ward Civil War Fort, improve access for the disabled, and update displays to include more recent historical developments in the park's history.

e. Community Research Reveals Original Park Intent & Purpose: Although city officials have repeatedly denied that there is a master plan for Fort Ward Park community researchers have gathered city information that indicates that there are master plans for the park. In addition to the actual master plans information has been obtained that describe the city’s original intent and purpose for creating the park. City plans developed in 1962 and revised in 1979; Recreation Department, General Services Department, Department of Public Works, City Council and City Manager correspondence; federal land acquisition grant applications; and the city’s 1981-82 application for the Fort Ward Historical Park to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, have been researched. These city documents describe the purpose of the park as:

“ a proposal to acquire not only valuable land in terms of historical character, but also preserve as much land as possible to be left in a natural state”.
Eugene L. Barnwell, Director, Alexandria Recreation Department land acquisition proposal for Fort Ward Historical Park. 1954.

“To preserve a historical site and further provide a recreational area which should remain as much as possible in its natural state..” “To provide for the recreational interest and pursuits of those persons desiring areas left in their natural state…”.
Lee Fones, Director, Alexandria Recreation Department land acquisition proposal. 1955.

“Although the park’s principal importance is historical, it also can be used in its natural state as a recreational and picnic area”.
Eugene L. Barnwell, Director, Alexandria General Services. Sunday Star, Washington, D.C.. 1962.

“ to retain said land for permanent open space purposes, and the open space use of said land shall be: Park and outdoor recreation activities and uses compatible with maintaining the open space character of the lands involved; implementation of historic site and preservation of lands of historic and scenic value”.
City Council approval of Contract for Grant to Acquire Open Space Land Under Title VII of the Housing Act of 1961. 1963.

“…Fort Ward is a 35-acre Historic Park owned and operated by the City of Alexandria, Virginia“. “Fort Ward today serves as a 35-acre historic park and museum”.
Alexandria City Council action for listing on the National Register of Historic Sites. 1981

f. Community Research Reveals Past City Knowledge of Park Graves: Although the Directors of the City Recreation Department, Office of Historic Alexandria, advisory commission members, and local elected officials expressed surprise earlier this year when community interests raised questions about the African American graves within Fort Ward Park, community research has revealed that numerous city officials were aware of grave sites in the park as early as 1962.

Community researchers, using city information, have documented a number of graves and family grave sites on master plans and in documents related to the City’s condemnation of private lands for the park. Interviews with current and past city employees, as well as adjacent neighbors, indicate that city managers were specifically aware of the grave sites in the area that is now a maintenance/ nursery yard. In fact it appears that some city employees were directed to remove gravestones so that the city could convert the area into a place for city vehicles, plants, supplies and debris.

The city’s conversion of certain parts of the park for maintenance and nursery yard areas, which were placed on top of African American graves, was done without normal city reviews and permits. Past actions reflect a complete disregard for people who are buried in the park and their families who live continue to live in the city.

g. City Official Meet with Seminary Civic Association: On October 23, 2009, at a regular Seminary Civic Association meeting, Lance Mallamo of the Office of Historic Alexandria met with association members to update them on public and private efforts to protect, restore and enjoy Fort Ward Park.

The highlight of the meeting was Mr. Mallamo’s remarks on current and future city efforts including the use of radar to identify graves; a cell phone tour of African American history which is 90% complete; the relationship of the park to the City’s Strategic Plan; and a National Trust for Historic Preservation grant the city hopes to receive to help with historical and cultural research.

The National Trust grant will enable the city, and its communities, to work with Dr. Edna Greene Medford of Howard University. Dr. Greene Medford is Associate Professor and former director of the Department of History’s graduate and undergraduate programs. Specializing in nineteenth century African-American history, she teaches courses in Civil War and Reconstruction, Colonial America, the Jacksonian Era, and African-American history.

Mr. Mallamo told the audience that his office is focused on understanding the resources of Fort Ward Park. The work will be holistic in nature and include: a re-evaluation of the Museum mission statement; a better understanding of what brought African American families to settle in the area; with an emphasis on early Native American history and African American history during the period between the Civil War to the end of the Civil Rights movement.

Mr. Mallamo encouraged the meeting attendees to help the city gather information on the history of the park.

Dave Cavanaugh of the Alexandria Archaeology Commission, and Glenn Eugster of the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. also made remarks to the group about community research and the importance of civic engagement in local decisions.

g. Fort Ward Museum Historian Co-Authors Mr. Lincoln’s Forts: The city held a book signing and authors’ reception on November 14, 2009 at Fort Ward Museum to celebrate the publication of the new and revised edition of Mr. Lincoln’s Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington (Scarecrow Press, 2009) by Dr. B. Franklin Cooling III and Walton H. Owen II.

The new edition of Mr. Lincoln’s Forts is the long-awaited successor to the first edition published in 1988. According to the foreword by Edwin Bearss, Chief Historian Emeritus for the National Park Service, “...Mr. Lincoln’s Forts is a classic, a publication against which future endeavors in the field will be measured.”

It features expanded and revised content, including illustrations not featured in the original edition. The book is the premier historical reference and tour guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington, the extensive network of forts constructed to protect the Federal capital. The author’s research indicates that Fort Ward is the best preserved of the forts in the defense system and one of the most significant sites discussed in the book.

The authors are specialists in Civil War history, and in the Washington area forts. Dr. Cooling is a professor at the National Defense University and a well-known Civil War historian and author. Alexandria’s own Wally Owen is Assistant Director and Curator at Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site,

h. Seminary Hill Association Annual Meeting: On November 12, 2009 the Seminary Hill Association, Inc. held it’s annual meeting at the Virginia Theological Seminary. The program featured I-395 Transportation Issues: How They Affect You and All Seminary Hill Homeowners. Speakers included Councilman Rob Krupicka; Ronaldo Nicholson from the Virginia Department of Transportation; and Nancy Jennings from Marlboro Estates. Despite meetings and planning at all levels of the government it was apparent, as Nancy Jennings stated in her remarks, that, “Traffic is getting worse and will continue to get worse”.

Meeting participants, who included Councilman Smedberg and Councilwoman Pepper and Hughes, were encouraged by Joanne Lepanto, President of the Association, to get involved in local decisions because the world is run by people that show up.

The meeting included election of Officers and Area
Representatives. The following persons were elected to serve the Association.
Nancy Jennings, President
Jack Sullivan, Treasurer
Bruce McCarthy, Secretary
Lillian Stanton Patterson, Area 1
Carter Fleming, Area 2
Dick Hobson, Area 3
Beth Arnson, Area 4
Dick Hayes, Area 5
Glenn Eugster, Area 6
Pat Lidy, Area 7
Rick Ward, Area 8
Bruce McCarthy, Area 9

For more information about the Seminary Hill Association go to: www.seminaryhillassn.org


Unresolved Issues and Concerns

a. Possible Topics for the Fort Ward Advisory Group: For nearly three years homeowners, family-members, church officials, historians, park and recreational users, advisory commissioners, past and current city employees, civic association board members, Commonwealth managers, and leaders from national non-profit organizations, and others, have raised concerns about the management and use of Fort Ward Park. Although elected officials and city managers have taken some action to respond to these concerns many of the problems and matters of concern need attention.

The Mayor and City Council has charged the Advisory Group with the task for making suggestions to city managers about the management and use of Fort Ward Park. Hopefully the Advisory Group will arrange for walking tour of the park and take time to read city and community historic research, as well as the public record of community concerns and comments from the last three years. Some of the most pressing use and management issues which have been identified include:

Recognition of the original park purpose and intent
Management of crowds and inappropriate park uses
Regulation of noise levels from park users
Damage to African American graves within the park
Security for the park and Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery
Stormwater damage to the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery graves
Regulation of alcohol use by park users
Integration of multiple city jurisdictions within the park (I.e. Recreation, Horticulture, Arborist, Stormwater, Historic Preservation, Museum, Maintenance, etc.)
Clarifying the status of the October 16,2008 Fort Ward Facilities Study and Recommendations
Clarifying the extent of the District maintenance office/ yard location and operation
Abatement of stormwater “pond” and flooding of adjacent private property
City compliance with city laws, ordinances and permits (i.e. Special Use Permits, others….)
Recognition of the need for basic planning and management documents (i.e. statement for management, updated master plan, Special Use Permits, etc.) before the public expenditure of funds for park development
Maintenance/ nursery yard location, activity and condition
Public access to the graves of Clara and Robert Adams, and other, within the maintenance/ nursery yard
Management of invasive plants along park boundaries
Management of natural, wildlife and scenic values and resources
Sustainable levels of park maintenance (i.e. damaged tree removal, debris, pedestrian bridge, maintenance/ nursery yard, City Arborist Memorial, etc.)

Hopefully the Advisory Group will create an objective and open process for city managers and community interests to identify and discuss these and other issues in order to agree on balanced solutions which will protect the park, encourage people to enjoy the area, and respect adjacent private property owners.

c. Community Interests Contact City Manager About Water Runoff Concerns: Residents who live nearby and use Fort Ward Park continue to voice concerns about water runoff flowing from the park into the ravine between the park and Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Residents believe that the city’s lack of park maintenance and storm water management have created a de facto “beaver-dam”.

This “beaver-dam” has created a pond of stagnant water which is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread the West Nile Virus and for other noxious insect vectors. Additionally, children could potentially wander away from the nearby playground and drown in this pond.

Given the fact that the City of Alexandria, through its Recreation Department and Transportation & Environmental Services Department, has created and maintained this public health nuisance over the years residents and park users have asked the city to take action.

On November 19, 2009 area residents contacted James Hartmann, the City Manager, and requested the city to immediately take all necessary measures to abate this public health nuisance. This nuisance has been an ongoing concern of residents who have contacted Alexandria city officials regularly over the last three years with no palpable response. Recreation Department Director Jim Spengler, as well as Transportation & Environment Director Rich Baier has been assigned by the City Manager to look into this matter.


Future Efforts of Note

a. City Budget Process Underway: Alexandria is working on the budget for 2011 and they want your input. The City of Alexandria expects Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 to be another challenging year based on early economic forecasts. As the City begins the budget process, they would like your input regarding the FY 2011 Operating Budget and Capitol Improvement Program. Whether you are supporting a service or opposed to an expenditure this is one of the chances you have to make your opinion known. The City of Alexandria encourages public comments on the issues presented on their web-sites. To comment go to: http://Alexandria.gov


Inside Alexandria

Conversations and correspondence with various City staff, local elected officials, advisory commission members, and citizens have revealed information about actions and activities being discussed for Fort Ward Park.

a. Fort Ward Park & Museum Area Ad Hoc Stakeholder Advisory Group Appointments: On June 23, 2009 the City Council approved Resolution No. 2349 establishing an Ad Hoc Advisory Group for Fort Ward Park and Museum Area. City Recreation Department leaders indicated on November 24, 2009 that the following appointments have been approved.

As appointed by the City Manager, the Stakeholder Advisory Group shall consist of ten members, as follows:

Park and Recreation Commission (3 members)
Richard Brune
Ripley Forbes
Robert Moir
Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (3 members)
William Schreiner
Charles Ziegler
Ralph Thomas Fulton
Environmental Policy Commission (1 member)
Philip Voorhees
Citizens at large (2 members)
Frances Terrell
Adrienne Washington
Citizen living within a one-mile radius of Fort Ward Park. (1 member)
Linda Ries

The purpose of the Group is to have City staff work with the Advisory Group primarily “to solicit recommendations on balancing park uses, implementing education and outreach opportunities and reviewing the success of recently implemented changes. This Advisory Group would advise staff with a goal of recommending an appropriate balance between the different uses of the park, including active, passive/environmental and historic/archeological interests“.

b. Fort Ward & Vacant City Land: Recent discussions with city managers and elected officials about the idea of selling-off city lands has gotten the attention of Marlboro Estate homeowners. Deputy City Manager Mark Jenks and Recreation Department Director Jim Spengler were recently contacted by residents about neighborhood concerns about a parcel of land owned by the city between North Van Dorn Street, Fort Ward Park and the homes at the end of Fort Ward Place and Ellicott Street.

The land, which was originally dedicated as public parkland as part of the Marlboro Estates subdivision approval process, is currently zoned R-8. According to the city's website "the R-8 zone is established to provide and maintain land areas for low density residential neighborhoods of single-family homes on 8,000 square foot lots. Nonresidential uses of a noncommercial nature which are related to, supportive of and customarily found in a residential neighborhood are also permitted".

In response to concerns Mr. Jenks indicated that “….when we did the sort of City-owned parcels to consider selling that no City owned parcel near Ft Ward was on the list that went to Council. Parks staff helped sort the list so they protected the site in
question. There are no park or park-related parcels on the City land sale candidate list”.

Mr. Spengler indicates that “The parcel you mention is already documented by the City as both a part of Ft. Ward Park and as public open space. It is not listed as a parcel the City is trying to sell to raise funds. It should be more clearly identified within the park boundaries when a new master plan is done for the park“.

Upcoming December Events

Saturday: December 5, 2009

FORT WARD PARK HISTORY GROUP
10:00 a.m., Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, 4301 W. Braddock Rd., Contact Susan Cumbey, 703.838.4848

TUESDAY: DECEMBER 8, 2009

ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL will hold its only legislative meeting of the month at 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Jackie Henderson, 703.746.4550.

ALEXANDRIA AD HOC FORT WARD PARK AND MUSEUM AREA STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY GROUP will hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m., Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Road. For more information contact Laura Durham, 703.746.5493.

WEDNESDAY: DECEMBER 9, 2009

ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOAL 1 OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN – There is Quality Development and Redevelopment, Support for Local Businesses, and a Strong, Diverse, and Growing Local Economy will hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m., Council Workroom, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Brandi Collins, 703.746.3854.

ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOAL 4 OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN – Alexandria Is a Community with Public Schools Amongst Northern Virginia’s Best and Where Our Recreational Programs Provide Youth the Opportunity to Succeed will hold a meeting at 6:00 p.m., Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe Street. For more information contact Jack Browand 703.746.5500 or Jim Spengler, 703.746.5502.

ALEXANDRIA HISTORICAL RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION will hold a meeting at 8:00 a.m., Lloyd House, 220 North Washington Street. For more information contact Lance Mallamo, 703.838.4554.

THURSDAY; DECEMBER 10, 2009

SEMINARY HILL ASSOCIATION INC. will hold its regular monthly board meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the parish hall of Emmanuel Church-on-the-Hill on Seminary Road at Quaker Lane. For more information contact Nancy Jennings at: nrjennings@comcast.net

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2009

ALEXANDRIA CONVENTION AND VISITORS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS – TOURISM MARKETING FORUM will hold a meeting at 9:00 a.m., Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. For more information contact Stephanie Brown, 703.746.3302.

SATURDAY: DECEMBER 12, 2009

ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL will hold its regular public hearing at 9:30 a.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 301 King Street. For more information contact Jackie Henderson, 703.746.4550.

MONDAY: DECEMBER 14, 2009

ALEXANDRIA CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOAL 3 OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN – There Is an Integrated, Multimodal Transportation System that Efficiently and Effectively Gets People from Point “A” to Point “B” will hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m., Minnie Howard Library Media Center, 3801 West Braddock Road. For more information contact Rich Baier or Yon Lambert, 703.746.4025

TUESDAY: DECEMBER 15, 2009

HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA RESOURCES COMMISSION will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m., Lloyd House, 220 North Washington Street. For more information contact Lance Mallamo, 703.838.4554.

WEDNESDAY: DECEMBER 16, 2009

ALEXANDRIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMMISSION will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m., Archaeology Museum, 105 North Union Street, Suite 327. For more information contact Pamela Cressey, 703.838.4399.

ALEXANDRIA BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE (BRAC) ADVISORY COMMITTEE will hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m., Alexandria Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Road. For more information contact Pat Escher, 703.746.3812.


What can I do to help with Fort Ward?

a. Get Involved in Local Decisions! If you have an interest in the future of your community and want to get involved you can donate some of your time to this group of community and neighborhood organizations, and homeowners, and help save Fort Ward Park and our surrounding area. A group of community leaders has created an informal partnership to help save Fort Ward Park. The group needs volunteers with passion, skill and experience in marketing/ communication, historic research, law, finding grants, fundraising, and other areas. If you have time and are interested contact J. Glenn Eugster at 703-845-8947 or by e-mail at: glenn_eugster@comcast.net

b. For Further Information: If you would like to:
receive more information on the Fort Ward Observer;
be added, or removed, from this mailing list;
request past editions of this newsletter, or,
make contributions to this report in the future.
Please write or call: Glenn Eugster
By e-mail: glenn_eugster@comcast.net
By telephone: (703)845-8947 (before 9:00 pm)
By mail: 4022 Ellicott Street, Alexandria, VA 22304

It is important to note that although I am sharing this information with a broad and diverse group of people, I do not have a mandate to speak for anyone. This information is offered so that you will be informed and, hopefully, engaged in your community, City, and this park. I speak only for myself and those who may think as I do.