View from Fort Ward: City Continues to Neglect Family Grave Areas at Fort Ward

View from Fort Ward:  City Continues to Neglect Family Grave Areas at Fort Ward

J. Glenn Eugster

July 18, 2013

After countless hours of meetings, hundreds of public written comments, dozens of newspaper, magazine, radio and television stories,  years of study by City of Alexandria agencies and an advisory group, the city’s approach to protecting and maintaining family grave areas within Fort Ward Park has not changed.  Identified and documented family grave areas continue to be unmarked and poorly maintained despite the pleas and urgings of the descendant family members of those buried in the park, as well as leaders of the Fort Ward History Work Group and the Fort Ward Park and Museum Advisory Group.

Alexandria has 128 parks.  According to Jim Spengler, Director of the City’s Recreation Department, this is the only one which is “historic”.  “We aren’t historic, not trained in historic maintenance and never will be.  Maintenance workers don’t differentiate between different [types of] parks.  Park crews mostly work on athletic fields and get [positive] feedback on their work”.

During discussions with the Advisory Group members Mr. Spengler has suggested that Fort Ward Park’s historic areas would be better managed by the City’s Office of Historic Alexandria(OHA) or a private contractor.   Lance Malamo, Director of OHA, isn’t sure that he has the money or the expertise within his group to manage the park’s historic areas.  When descendants and community leaders first expressed concern about the damage to and maintenance of the grave areas he referred them to the Recreation Department.

While Alexandria’s department heads work out their responsibilities, and the Advisory Group and the city’s consultant continue to prepare a management plan for the park, the family grave areas need to be respected, protected and maintained.   The park’s history includes the Civil War and the families that lived in the area before the park was created.  Continued neglect and disrespect of these sacred places, especially during the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War,  reflects badly on the City of Alexandria and its residents.   Citizens have repeatedly asked for improved management at Fort Ward Park.  It’s time the city made this park a priority.