Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan

The Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan is the guiding document for the long-term management of Fort Ward. Adopted by City Council in 2015, it lays out a strategic framework of goals, best practices, and recommendations to ensure that the park's historic and cultural resources, natural environment, and recreational amenities are managed sensitively and preserved for future generations.
Page updated on May 12, 2023 at 1:48 PM

Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan

In January 2015 City Council adopted the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan to provide a strategic long range plan for management and operation of the historic area and park site.  The plan was developed after several years of community engagement with many stakeholder groups, including the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group and later, the Fort Ward Park Implementation Monitoring Group.  

Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan Goals 

  • Goal 1 - Management and Funding 
    The City of Alexandria will support a broad array of users and uses by collaboratively managing the park and equitably investing in the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area as compared with other regional city parks and facilities   
  • Goal 2 - Park Character: Preserve, Protect, Repair and Maintain Resources 
    The City of Alexandria, working with its boards and commissions, volunteers and park neighbors, will work to protect and maintain the nationally significant historic and cultural resources and locally significant natural resources found within Fort Ward Park.  
  • Goal 3 - Landscape Cultural Practices   
    The City of Alexandria will adopt appropriate and coordinated landscape management practices  
  • Goal 4 - Educate and Engage Visitors :  Share the Stories of Fort Ward Park 
    The City of Alexandria will increase and broaden the audience in support of the park's preservation and enhancement by providing a high quality interpretive and educational experience.      
  • Goal 5 - Enhance Park Facilities  
    The City of Alexandria will satisfy the growing need for passive recreational enjoyment of a shady, natural oasis from an increasingly complex urban environment. 

What's Happening at Fort Ward

Fort Ward Playground 2022

Playground Accessibility Project

DRPCA and OHA/Archaeology are studying options to improve playground accessibility. A community meeting is scheduled for May 11. See previous playground proposals below, under Implementation Projects.

Fort Ward Picnic Shelter Plan 2022

Picnic Shelter Accessible Pathway Construction

Construction is currently underway for a new accessible pathway that will connect to the picnic shelter, Van Dorn Street sidewalk, and Area 2 parking. See Implementation Projects, below, for more information.

Clara Adams Gravestone, Fort Ward Park

Memorializing and Preserving Sacred Areas

The Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) is working with members of the Fort descendant community on two memorial projects in Fort Ward Park, including memorials and permanent fencing around key burial sites

Locations of test units in relation to possible locations of main Javins house

Management Summary for Archaeological Excavations at the Javins Homestead

The Javins family purchased a 2.5-acre lot in The Fort neighborhood by 1889. Archaeological investigations took place in and around the Javins property in 2012 and 2013.

Community Engagement

Playground Virtual Community Meeting #5
May 11, 2023 at 7 p.m.

The community is invited to attend a virtual community meeting about two potential locations (Sites B and D) for relocating the existing playground to a more accessible location in the park. The meeting recording will be available the day after the meeting. Persons unable to attend the virtual meeting may provide feedback to the project manager at:  judy.lo@alexandriava.gov

 

Playground Community Open House
March 4 and 11, 2023 from 10 a.m.- Noon
St. Stephens and St. Agnes Middle School, 4401 West Braddock Road

The community is invited to attend open houses about two potential locations (Sites B and D) for relocating the existing playground to a more accessible location in the park.  Anyone may stop by to view display boards. Handouts and reports will be available. Persons unable to attend the open house may provide feedback to the project manager at:  judy.lo@alexandriava.gov or on the community comment form

Playground Virtual Community Meeting #4
February 22, 2023 at 7 p.m.

The community is invited to attend a virtual community meeting about two potential locations (Sites B and D) for relocating the existing playground to a more accessible location in the park.  The meeting recording will be available the day after the meeting. Persons unable to attend the virtual meeting may provide feedback to the project manager at:  judy.lo@alexandriava.gov or on the community comment form.

Fort Ward Park Meadow Restoration Community Meeting
November 19, 2022 at 10 a.m.
Join staff from the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and Natural Resources Division to learn about meadow restoration in Fort Ward Park. The meeting will convene at the Braddock Road parking lot, and will include a walking tour of the meadow area.  Staff will discuss the process to restore the meadow and to re-establish its boundaries. The process will involve identifying vegetation that will be saved including trees which may be significant to the Fort community. Restoration efforts will occur over several seasons.

Playground Virtual Community Meeting
June 22, 2022 at 7 p.m.

The community is invited to attend a virtual community meeting to review options for improving accessibility to the Fort Ward Park Playground. The presentation will include options looked at during the May 21 Community Site Walk. Comments about the proposed playground sites will continue to be accepted. Comments may be sent to:  judy.lo@alexandriava.gov

Playground Community Meeting
May 21, 2022 at 10 a.m.

Community meeting: The community is invited to attend a site walk with City staff to review options for improving accessibility to the Fort Ward Park playground. The meeting will be held on Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 West Braddock Road. 

Pre-Construction Meeting for the Fort Ward Park Picnic Shelter Accessibility Improvements
Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 10 a.m.

March 31, 2022 Community Announcement
The public is invited to attend a Community Pre-Construction Meeting about upcoming construction of the Fort Ward Park Picnic Shelter Accessibility Improvements. The meeting will be held on Saturday, April 9, at 10 a.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 West Braddock Road. The meeting will convene at the picnic shelter parking lot (Area 2). City staff will provide information about the project construction and archaeological monitoring. Construction activities are scheduled from April 26 – September 15, 2022.

Online Community Meeting about Fort Ward Park Projects
Monday, January 24, 2022  from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The meeting will provide an opportunity for the community to learn about projects and initiatives recommended in the Fort Ward Park & Museum Area Management Plan and the Fort Ward Interpretative Plan. 

Management Plan and Other Documents

Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan (adopted 2015)

Interpretive Plan (final concept design 2019)

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site Interpretive Plan, Final Concept Design (2019)

The goal of this project is to expand interpretation in Fort Ward Park to include the full range of its history, especially including the African American experience and the post-Civil War Fort community. Fort Ward's Civil War history will remain a core theme, but new elements will explore the legacy of that pivotal era.

The City of Alexandria has retained the firm of Design Minds of Fairfax, Virginia to prepare a Master Interpretive Plan for Fort Ward Park. The public is invited to attend meetings of the Fort Ward Interpretive Committee which are announced on the Calendar of Events for the City and the Office of Historic Alexandria.

Finding The Fort: A History of an African American Neighborhood (2017)

Finding The Fort: A History of an African American Neighborhood in Northern Virginia, 1860s-1960s, By Krystyn R. Moon, 2014 (Revised 2017)

Archaeological Investigations of The Fort (2009-2014)

Excavation of Civil War features at Fort Ward took place in 1961 and 1991 (see below). Contemporary interest in the historical significance of Fort Ward Park as a whole and its African American history, as well as a desire to preserve its cultural resources, led to a third archaeological investigation, beginning in 2009. First the City carried out a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey to identify unmarked graves and then fieldwork, completed in January 2011—fifty years after the first study—confirmed the presence of many burials. Additional research and family memories chronicle how the Fort neighborhood was lost in the process of the City’s efforts to purchase the land and create the historical park. The 2011 archaeological study documented 22 graves, 19 of which were unmarked, in the Jackson Cemetery on the west side of the fort, the Old Grave Yard adjoining the Oakland Baptist Cemetery, and in the eastern portion of the Park (Adams’ graves). Also discovered were foundations and artifacts associated with one of the earliest households at The Fort—Burr and Harriet Shorts—and an African American school. A cultural resource inventory is also a part of Stage 1.

The City Council approved funding for 2011–2012 Stage 2 to generate a history report, conduct test excavations across the Park to identify sensitive resource areas, and update the cultural resource inventory in preparation for planning activities. Learn more about the latest excavations below.

Maps of Cemeteries and Graves (2010-2012)

Clara Adams Gravestone, Fort Ward Park
Clara Adams grave stone, Fort Ward Park

The following are maps of the archaeological investigations that took place in 2010 and 2012:

Overlay Maps  

 

Maps of Grave Investigation Areas (2010-2012)

About Fort Ward

Members of the Jackson Family at The Fort

The Fort: A Post-Civil War African American Community

After the Civil War, a neighborhood known as The Fort grew up around Fort Ward. The City of Alexandria is working with members of the Fort descendant community on two memorial projects in Fort Ward Park, including a memorial for the cemetery of the Jackson family, shown above.

Fort Ward's restored north bastion, with canons

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site

Fort Ward is the best preserved of the system of Union forts and batteries built to protect Washington, DC during the American Civil War (1861-1865).

Fort Ward Park Entrance Sign at Braddock Road

Fort Ward Park

The park, at 4301 West Braddock Road, features an amphitheater, museum and historic site, park shelter, parking, picnic areas, playground, and restrooms.

Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Interagency Activity

In accordance with the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan and an interdepartmental MOU adopted in 2018, representatives from City departments that are responsible for managing Park operations have met quarterly to discuss issues and coordinate projects related to management of the Park’s grounds, facilities and historic areas. These departments are: Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA); the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA); Department of General Services (DGS); and Transportation and Environmental Services (TES).

Fort Ward Interagency Annual Report for FY 2020

Fort Ward Interagency Annual Report for FY 2022

Fort Ward Park Management Plan Implementation Projects

Fort Ward Accessibility Improvements 
These projects are intended to improve accessibility throughout the park, and provide compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Projects are consistent with the Fort Ward Management Plan recommendations. An overview of these projects was presented at the December 11, 2019 Capital Projects meeting. For additional information, contact the project manager, Judy Lo, Park Planning, 703.746.5490, judy.lo@alexandriava.gov.

 

Fort Ward Playground Access Improvements 
This current playground location in Area 1 is situated at the bottom of a steep hill with poor drainage.  Improvements will include new picnic tables and benches, new swings, a water fountain, natural play equipment, and plantings.  

Revised Project Schedule:

  • Design: 2023
  • Regulatory Permitting: 2023
  • Procurement: TBD
  • Construction: TBD

Design Documents:

Community Updates 

  • June 2020: The community is invited to provide feedback on the new playground design. View a recorded presentation to learn more about the design. Submit comments and questions by June 26, 2020.  Responses will be posted in July.
  • August 2020:  Responses to feedback regarding the June 15 recorded presentation are now available here.  The design team will continue to refine the design in response to comments. 
  • January 2022 - December 2022:  In response to community feedback about the 2020 playground proposal, staff are now studying new options for playground accessibility. Community engagement activities are planned in 2022 to solicit community feedback. 
  • February 2023:  Community engagement is scheduled in February and March regarding two potential playground locations.
  • April 2023: Community engagement is schedule in May about the two potential playground locations. 

 

Fort Ward Picnic Shelter Accessible Pathway
This project will provide an accessible pedestrian pathway connecting the picnic shelter to accessible parking located in Area 2.  The new path will extend to Van Dorn Street and improve access from the north side of the park. As part of the stormwater management requirements, the path will be constructed with permeable pavers. Twenty trees will also be planted in the 'Woodlands Area' , located east of the picnic shelter (shown on Plate 20 of the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan) to comply with stormwater management requirements.

Project Schedule:  

  • Regulatory Permitting: Spring/Summer 2020 
  • Procurement: Fall 2020-Spring 2021
  • Construction: April 2022-December 2022
  • Closeout: January 2023-May 2023

Design Documents: 

Community Updates 

  • June 2020: Construction is anticipated to begin fall 2020 and will take several weeks to complete. The picnic shelter will be closed during construction. 
  • August 2020: Permit plans were approved in August,  and the procurement process has commenced
  • February 2021: Procurement is underway and a construction contract will be awarded this spring
  • April 2022: A Community Pre-Construction meeting was held on April 9. Construction commenced on April 26.  
  • April 2022: The Management Summary of the Javins site is available here.  New South Associates will be monitoring the site to identify, assess and record buried deposits uncovered during construction. A final monitoring report will completed after construction.
  • May 2022: The contractor, Sagres Construction, Inc. has mobilized and completed installation of tree protection measures, and erosion and sediment controls.  The first segment of the permeable paver drainage system will be constructed starting from Van Dorn Street.
  • August 2022: The project is 80% complete. The permeable pathway has been installed. The handrails for the ramp, and parking/road paving will be completed this fall.-November 2022: Roadwork and paving for the ADA parking spaces will occur November 7 –10.  Archaeologists from New South Associates will be on site during construction to monitor excavation of the roadway.  The road will be closed to vehicles from 7am to 5pm but will remain open to pedestrians during that time.  A report of all archaeological monitoring completed during construction of the project will be available soon.
  • February 2023: Due to temperature constraints, some work has been postponed.  Work will continue this winter and early spring to install the handrails at the Van Dorn Street ramp, renovate the stairwell at the picnic shelter, and stripe the ADA parking spaces.  A summary of the archaeological monitoring conducted by New South Associates is now complete.
  • April 2023: The contractor has completed the ADA parking space striping. Handrails and support footings have also been installed at the Van Dorn St. entrance ramp, and the stairwell to the picnic shelter, and will be finished in April.  Installation of grills near the picnic shelter will be installed the first week of April, with Alexandria Archaeology monitoring the work.  A summary of archaeological monitoring for the accessible pathway is complete and available here.

 

Fort Ward Accessible Parking Improvements 
This project will provide ADA parking spaces in each vehicular parking area. Work will include re-paving, re-striping, and signage.  

Project Schedule:  

  • Design: Fall 2022
  • Construction: 2023 

Design Documents 

  • This map shows the general locations of the ADA parking spaces. 

Community Updates

  • February 2023: Test pits were taken in early February in the Museum parking lot and front entrance gravel lot, to determine the depth of existing depth of gravel and subbase material.
  • April 2023: Consultant are working on the 90% and 100% design plans for the ADA parking spaces,

Fort Ward Park Management Plan Implementation Activity & Public Notices (2015-2020)

2020

Soil Testing and Surveying scheduled for February
Weather permitting, City contractors will be conducting geotechnical soil borings and land surveying at Fort Ward Park during the month of February. The work will occur in Picnic Area 2 (picnic shelter) and Picnic Area 5, and take 1-2 days to complete. Alexandria Archaeology has reviewed and approved the test areas.  For more information contact Judy Lo, Park Planning at 703.746.5490.

2019

City of Alexandria to Host Community Meeting Regarding Upcoming Capital Projects in Fort Ward Park
The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities and the Office of Historic Alexandria will host a community meeting regarding Fort Ward Park on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the St. Stephens St. Agnes Middle School, 4401 West Braddock Road.
The meeting will be an opportunity for the community to learn about upcoming 2020 capital projects related to implementation of the Fort Ward Park & Museum Area Management Plan and the Fort Ward Interpretative Plan.  For more information, contact Judy Lo, Park Planning Division, at judy.lo@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5490.

December 11, 2019 Meeting Presentation
December 11, 2019 Meeting Summary

2016

Stump Removal to begin Week of January 25, 2016 - January 14, 2016
Tree pruning and removal work began at the Park in late December. As this work continues, we will begin to grind the stumps left from these maintenance activities, as well as other stumps that remain from trees lost during previous snow and other severe weather events. Stump grinding activities will be governed by the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan, which identifies areas where minimal ground disturbing activities, including stump grinding  is permitted, and approved by the Office of Historic Alexandria. Where required, OHA archaeological staff will be onsite to observe the stump grinding operations. Approximately one hundred stumps from current and previous tree removal operations  have been identified. Stumps located in sensitive historical and archaeological sites will be left in place. The work will proceed as weather and ground conditions permit.

 

Picnic Furniture & ADA Improvements to begin week of June 13, 2016 - June 9, 2016
The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities will begin replacement of picnic furniture and the installation of other ADA enhancements consistent with the Fort Ward Park & Museum Area Management Plan recommendations. Picnic areas and other park amenities will remain usable throughout the improvement activities. Weather permitting, improvement activities will be completed during the week of July 4, 2016. For additional information, contact Chris Watson, Park Manager, at chris.watson@alexandriava.gov. 

2015

Tree Maintenance Work to begin in Fort Ward Park and Museum Area week of December 26 - December 15, 2015
The City of Alexandria will begin the seasonal tree maintenance in Fort Ward Park and Museum Area beginning the week of December 26, 2015 and will continue through January 2016 subject to the weather conditions. The work includes structural and deadwood pruning of fifty-two trees, removal of forty-two dead or diseased trees throughout the park and grinding of remaining tree stumps.

Fort Ward Park Implementation Monitoring Group Meetings (2015-1017)

Purpose

In May 2015 City Council passed a resolution to establish an Ad Hoc Fort Ward Management Plan Implementation Monitoring Group (Monitoring Group). The Monitoring Group met from September 2015 to July 2017. City Staff will continue community engagement and encourages input with the Management Plan as well as the Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site Interpretive Planning project. Please visit the Historic Alexandria web page here for more information regarding the Fort Ward Interpretive Plan Committee.

9.27.17 Memo to City Council regarding the Monitoring Group Contributions and Summary of Major Accomplishments

2015

September 9, 2015: Beatley Library Meeting Room, 5005 Duke St. at 6:30 p.m.

November 12, 2015: Minnie Howard Library/Media Center, 3801 W. Braddock Rd. at 6:30 a.m.

2016

January 21, 2016: Beatley Library Meeting Room, 5005 Duke St. at 6:30 p.m.

March 30, 2016:  St. Stephens & St. Agnes School Library, 4401 West Braddock Rd. at 6:30 p.m.

May 31, 2016:  Hummel Learning Center/David H. March Library - Episcopal High School, 1200 N. Quaker Lane at 6:30 p.m.  

September 29, 2016:   RPCA-Park Operations Training Room, 2900-A Business Center Drive at 6:30 p.m.

2017

March 22, 2017:  RPCA-Park Operations Training Room, 2900-A Business Center Drive at 6:30 p.m.

July 25, 2017:  RPCA-Park Operations Training Room, 2900-A Business Center Drive at 6:30 p.m.

Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group Meetings (2009-2014)

2009

Tuesday, December 8.

The City of Alexandria's Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group will hold its first meeting at the Fort Ward Museum, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8.

2010

Thursday, January 14.

Tuesday, January 26.

Tuesday, February 23.

Thursday, March 11.

Saturday, March 20.

 Tuesday, March 23.

Thursday, April 8

Tuesday, April 27

 Wednesday, May 13

Tuesday, May 25

Thursday, June 10 

Tuesday, June 22

Monday, June 28
The City Arborist and City Horticulturist will be meeting at 2 pm on Monday, June 28 with representatives from the Oakland Baptist Church to discuss trees and vegetation surrounding the cemetery located adjacent to the park and the Marlboro Estates neighborhood. Citizens and neighbors are welcome to attend the meeting which will be held on site at Fort Ward Park and the Oakland Baptist Cemetery.

Tuesday, July 27

Tuesday, August 24

Thursday, September  9 

 Tuesday, September 28

Thursday, October 14

Tuesday, October 26

Thursday, November 11

Tuesday, November 23

Thursday, December 9

2011

Thursday, January 13.

Wednesday, September 14. 

 Wednesday, October 12. 

Wednesday, November 9. 

Wednesday, December 14. 

2012

2013

2014

Fort Ward Park Studies and Community Findings (2008-2009)

2008

October 16, 2008
This Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities staff report was presented to the Park and Recreation Commission on October 16, 2008.  No action on this report by the Commission or any other City body has been taken.  Rather, subsequent to this report's issuance, City Council established an Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group to advise City staff on Fort ward Park and Museum use and management.

2009

January 15, 2009
Presentation provided to the Park and Recreation Commission on January 15, 2009 at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center to provide the Commission with an update on issues identified by staff and the public. Staff will be establishing two meetings in February to meet with community and City residents to address issues at Fort Ward Park.

City of Alexandria Schedules Community Meetings on Fort Ward Park and Facility Improvements (released February 9, 2009)
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Office of Historic Alexandria invite the public to attend community meetings to provide input on the current facilities and operations at Fort Ward Park, located at 4301 West Braddock Rd. The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18 at 7 p.m. at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, 4401 West Braddock Rd., and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. Each meeting will follow the same agenda and format. More Information

City of Alexandria Schedules Second Community Meeting On Fort Ward Park and Facility Improvements (released February 25, 2009)
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Office of Historic Alexandria invite the public to attend a second community meeting to provide input on the current facilities and operations at Fort Ward Park, located at 4301 W. Braddock Rd. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. This meeting will follow the same agenda and format as the first meeting held on Wednesday, February 18. More Information

City of Alexandria Schedules Community Meeting to Present Draft Action Plan on Fort Ward Park (released March 12, 2009)
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and the Office of Historic Alexandria invite the public to attend the third community meeting regarding a draft action plan to address community concerns about current facilities and operations at Fort Ward Park, located at 4301 West Braddock Road. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of T. C. Williams High School, 3330 King St.  More information

Community Information and Update on Fort Ward Park and Creation of Fort Ward Park History Work Group (released May 6, 2009)
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) and the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) invite the public to attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, May 13, where staff will provide an update on operational and historical issues regarding Fort Ward Park. Staff will offer a tour of the site beginning at 6 p.m., at Fort Ward, 4301 West Braddock Road. Following the tour, the meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m., in the cafeteria of Minnie Howard School, 3801 West Braddock Road. More information 

Fort Ward Park Meeting Postponed (released May 8, 2009)
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) and the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) are postponing an informational meeting regarding Fort Ward Park originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 13. More information 

City Council Work Session (May 26, 2009)

Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group Meeting (May 13, 2010)
In lieu of the City of Alexandria's Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Stakeholder Advisory Group's regular scheduled meeting on May 13, the group and City staff will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. at the Minnie Howard 9th Grade Center, located at 3801 West Braddock Road. City staff and the Advisory Group will update the public on their work at Fort Ward and will seek comments from the community.  For more information, call Laura Durham at 703.746.5493 or e-mail laura.durham@alexandriava.gov.

City Contact Information

If you would like to be added to the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan stakeholder email group, please email Judy.Lo@alexandriava.gov.