Request to National Trust for Historic Preservation

Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 1:49:09 PM
Subject: Reconnecting and Fort Ward Park--Please forward to Richard Moe


Please forward this to Richard Moe, National Trust for Historic Preservation






Dear Dick,



I hope this note finds you well. It's been awhile since we last talked or worked together on the Trust for the Mall or the Lonaconing Silk Mill. My wife Debbie Weatherly keeps me quite current about your continued good work and I'm hoping the Trust might be able to help one of the Fort Circle Parks in Alexandria, VA.



Deb and I live next to Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, VA. We are actively working with our community to support and assist with the protection and restoration of this wonderful 35-acre historic park which is owned and managed by the City of Alexandria, VA. The park includes Civil War earthen fortifications, the reproduction of period military buildings, and a community recreation-arboretum. In 1982 the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places.



Over the last several years the City has begun to manage the park as two distinct areas. One area is the fortification and Fort Ward Park Museum. The other area is the remainder of the park which surrounds the fort. Unfortunately the City's new approach to park management has resulted in creating a regional maintenance yard on top of and next to African-American graves; use of the park for a solid waste transfer station; and expansion of the community picnic facilities to provide for large crowds using alcohol and playing amplified music. These changes have gone on without public input or a special use permit. Moreover, although the park was created in the 1960's it does not have a master plan.



Our neighborhood has worked with the City Parks and Recreation Department, which is charged with managing the entire site, and the City Council to reverse some of these decisions. However, the City continues to propose an expansion of the park facilities for special "picnic" events. The last two summers we experienced groups of 1,000 people using the park in a way that is degrading the quality of this historical park and our adjacent neighborhoods. In response to our work the City is planning to hold two public meetings on February 18 and March 4, 2009 to share their plans for the park. We believe that these plans will continue to degrade the historic environment of the park and destroy additional African-American resources related to the time period following the military occupation of the site.



We need your help! Attached is a copy of the plan the City is proposing. Also included is a copy of the City's press release on the meetings. If there is any way you can help us save this part of our heritage we would be most appreciative.


Continued success in your work.



Sincerely,



Glenn Eugster

4022 Ellicott Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

703-845-8947

glenn_eugster@comcast.net