Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Who Speaks for the Dead? Susan Cumbey

Fort Ward’s Lost Graves: Who Speaks for the Dead?

Susan Cumbey

“Lance (Mallamo) asked that I inform you about the grave site area that existed on the west side of the park.  This area was situated to the rear of picnic area 6, adjacent to the restored Northwest bastion of the fort.

It is also interesting that Wanda Dowell, former director of the Fort Ward Museum and HIstoric Site, generally recalled from her early years working at Fort Ward that some of the headstones were removed from this area, and Wally Owen (of the Museum) recalls visiting the park when he was young and seeing a headstone at the base of a tree in that area”.

Letter from Susan Cumbey, Director of the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, to Kirk Kincannon, Director of the City of Alexandria Recreation Department. March 13, 2009

Remembering the Solitude of Fort Ward Park

Remembering the Solitude of Fort Ward Park

Charles W. Hendryx, the City of Alexandria’s first arborist, is long gone and forgotten.  No one at the Fort Ward Museum remembers him.  The City Recreation Department has no information about him.  Some of the people that worked for the city back-in-the-day remember him and know that one of the features of Fort Ward Park is the memorial that was created in his honor.

A search of the records in the Fort Ward Museum and the Alexandria Archives turned-up information about Mr. Hendryx and a lady named Mrs. R.F.S. Starr.  Mrs. Starr is often recognized as one of the people that helped convince City of Alexandria elected officials to save Fort Ward and create a historic park.  The Museum’s Library is named after Mrs. Starr to honor her work.

As it turns out Mrs. Starr and Mr. Hendryx worked together in the 1950’s to develop “preliminary thoughts” for Fort Ward Park.  Ideas for preservation, land acquisition, picnic areas, trails, footpaths, restrooms, parking and, natural and azalea plantings were shared between the two and used as the basis for the preparation of the initial plan for the park.

To recognize Mr. Hendryx’s contribution the city developed a small memorial, surrounded by azaleas and flowers, in his honor.   The memorial is located near the boundary where the park, Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery and Marlboro Estates comes together.  It is downslope of the cemetery within an area that early city maps described as “Solitude”, which was keeping with the city’s goal to protect history, provide recreation and preserve open space within the Fort Ward area.

Over the years, for good and not-so-good reasons, the area of solitude became a forgotten part of the park.  The area increasingly has been neglected with grass and leaves uncut and shrubs unkept.  Several benches that provide quiet places to meditate about nature fell into disrepair and small donor plaques placed on them were removed.  Even the Fort Ward Park & Musem Advisory Group members, charged with improving the management and protection of the park seemed to be ambivalent about this area.

Yesterday and today, however, a change was in the wind.  A Recreation Department maintenance truck pulled into the area and two city workers began removing two badly damaged benches, pruning overgrown shrubs, removing invasive species, and raking leaves away from the memorial and sitting area.

Although the changes are modest they are obvious and most welcome for they are the first signs of city interest in this part of the park in quite sometime.  City efforts, as well as donations and volunteer efforts from the Marlboro Estate residents, could help make this area an asset to Fort Ward once again.  If Mr. Hendryx and Mrs. Starr were still with us I’m sure they would be glad that the park they helped create and develop continues to be cared for.

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead? Councilwoman Del Pepper

Fort Ward's Lost Graves: Who speaks for the dead?

Councilwoman Del Pepper

“I’d like the grave sites[ at Fort Ward Park] commemorated in the park so that its an attraction.  There are lots of immediate neighbors in the area.  This has been an awful experience for them.  Don’t underestimate the value of their concerns”. 

Remarks by Councilwoman Del Pepper at the December 13, 2008 Alexandria, VA. CIty Council Meeting

Fort Ward Management Plan: Possible Alternatives for Park Ownership & Management

Fort Ward Management Plan:  Possible Alternatives for Park Ownership & Management

Members of the Fort Ward Park & Museum Advisory Group, as well as City Council members and the Chair of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, reportedly have been having discussions about possible options for the ownership and management of Fort Ward Park.  According to reliable sources  inside city government the idea of transferring ownership of Fort Ward to the Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority has been discussed.  City leaders and advisors have also discussed numerous other options including some type of park conservancy approach for long-term operations and improvement to the site.  The City of Alexandria’s Open Space Coordinator and Liaison to the Advisory Group believes that type of recommendation will be included in the implementation section of the draft Fort Ward Park & Museum Management Plan now being developed by a consultant working for the Department of Recreation.   The details of these alternatives have not been shared with the public for comment.

The draft plan is scheduled to be presented to and discussed with the Advisory Group at their January 2014 meeting.

2014 New Year's Resolution #3. Free Clara and Robert Adams.

2014 New Year's Resolution #3.  Free Clara and Robert Adams.

For years Clara and Robert Adams graves were surrounded by Alexandria Department of Recreation equipment, vehicles, mulch piles, potted plants, beer coolers, organic debris, and other items commonly found in a park district’s maintenance yard and nursery.  In 2007 citizens formed an alliance to request that city leaders remove the maintenance yard and nursery, which had been established without city permits and public input.  After petitions, public testimony and pleas to many, as well as a feature story in the Washington Post, city officials removed the equipment and debris from the yard and began to restore graves of Mr. and Mrs. Adams.

The maintenance and nursery yard continues to be locked-down as an advisory group working with consultants and city staff develop ideas for how this sacred area will be protected and used.  Although descendants of the Adams family may arrange for access to the graves there is no public information on this part of the park.  A forbidding sign is posted on the gate to the yard rather than a sign that acknowledges that the area behind the fence is the final resting place for Clara and Robert Adams and others.

Fort Ward Park Stormwater: Ed Haynes

Fort Ward Park Stormwater

“Given the harm to the sacred interest [of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery], the time required and the immeasurable harm [from water runoff and soil erosion] from the park, there should be a sense of urgency to do whatever is necessary, rather than for someone to file litigation.  We need to roll-up our sleeves.  We are looking at negligence, the role of government, the time spent and the promises made.  We ought to have this matter settled, rather than go to court”.  

Remarks by Ed Haynes at the March 26, 2013 Fort Ward Park-Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery Water Drainage Problems Meeting between the leaders of the Oakland Baptist Church, City of Alexandria’s, Department of Transportation & Environmental Services and the Office of Historic Alexandria, and the Fort Ward Park and Museum Advisory Group. 

Final Notes from Fort Ward Park-Marlboro Estates Meeting 2008

Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 

Subject: Final Notes from Fort Ward Park-Marlboro Estates Meeting

Dear Neighbors,

Attached are the revised notes from our meeting with the City about Fort Ward Park.  Should you have questions or concerns about the notes please let me know.

Thanks.

Glenn Eugster

July 1, 2008 Meeting between Marlboro Estates Landowners & Alexandria Parks & Recreation Department

Attendees:  Roger Blakeley, Steve Tompkins, John Walsh, and Walter Powell from the City of Alexandria, VA; Jeff Lane, Mary Beth Buchholz, Dennis Carroll, Glenn Eugster, Thad Dilley, Nancy Jennings, and  Tom Fulton from Marlboro Estates.

The purpose of the meeting was to:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Glenn asked Roger about the status of the park’s management/ master plan.  The park does not currently have a plan for management or future park improvements.  Roger said that there will be a management plan and an opportunity for public input.  Roger continued and said that by mid-month a Fort Ward Cost Center estimate will be developed(see the City Parks & Recreation website) which will then be followed by a park master plan.  Roger said the master plan will be done soon and there will be a public meeting.  Roger said that the schedule for the park master plan will depend on the City’s overall workload which is considerable.  It may be months or years before the City gets to this task.  Walter added that the park is being looked at to help raise revenue for the City.

9. Nancy Jennings asked about the dog park portion of Fort Ward Park and said that she thought it was hardly ever used.  Roger and Walter explained that the Fort Ward Park is used and it is part of the City’s Dog Park Master Plan.

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

Next Steps

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

Prepared by Glenn Eugster July 10, 2008