Fort Ward Park Water Problems

Meeting with Vice Mayor Kerry Donley
Fort Ward Park Water Problems--DRAFT
January 28, 2010
Prepared by J. Glenn Eugster

Summary
Recreation Department Director James Spengler’s December 7, 2010 correspondence to the Mayor and Members of City Council does not address the water problem in Fort Ward Park. A group of homeowners and members of the Oakland Baptist Church, who are negatively impacted by the problems that have been created by the city’s development of the park and management of this property, would like to discuss this matter with you.

Background
The residents of Marlboro Estates and members of the Oakland Baptist Church have been in regular contact with Alexandria’s elected and government officials about water problems resulting from the management and use of Fort Ward Park. For nearly five years homeowners and church members have raised concerns individually and collectively about park-related water drainage, storm water, cemetery grave subsidence, erosion and debris from runoff, and standing stagnant water. With the exception of the placement of some hay bales along the high-side of the cemetery this year, and the recent removal of branches and leaves from the area around the storm drain in the ravine down-slope of the cemetery, the city has not taken any action to respond to people’s concerns. In fact, the city recently plowed piles of mulch into the drainage swale between the park and adjacent homes.

Although the staff and managers of the city have taken calls, listened to comments, read requests, and visited the park, the typical response we have received has been dismissive, indifferent, resistant, and sometimes accusatory. Although the individuals we have talked and met with have been professional and polite they have been unresponsive to citizen concerns. This interaction has created a situation where problems go unsolved and the relationship between government and the community it serves is frayed.

Fort Ward Water Problems

The Fort Ward water problems that the city needs to address include:

1. Increased storm water from the maintenance/ nursery yard; storm sewers along Braddock Road; and the Fort Ward Museum.

2. The past and recent filling of drainage swales, by the city, along the city boundary with the homes along Ellicott Street and within the intermittent stream down-slope of the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery.

3. The absence of any storm water management or erosion and sedimentation practices within Fort Ward Park.

4. The absence of regular park maintenance within the corridor of the intermittent stream down-slope from the cemetery.

5. The failure of the city to comply with city laws, ordinances and regulations regarding park development, erosion and sedimentation control and storm water management.

Possible Solutions

We would like the opportunity to discuss possible solutions with you including the following:

1. The City Council should direct the Departments of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Transportation & Environment, and the Office of Historic Alexandria to comply with all City and Commonwealth laws, ordinances and guidelines as they manage, maintain and develop Fort Ward Park.

2. The City, in cooperation with the Office of Archaeology, should:

a. Remove the aggregate paving from the maintenance yard to help reduce runoff.

b. Remove all soil, mulch and other materials from the drainage swale between the park and the adjacent homes along Ellicott Street. Once these materials are removed the swale should be redesigned in cooperation with adjacent homeowners to manage storm water.

c. Remove all mulch, concrete, tires, and debris from the ravine located down-slope from the Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery. Once these materials are reviewed the area should be redesigned to manage storm water.

d. Develop a storm water manage plan for Fort Ward Park.