Comments on: Park View Blog Encourages Folks Who Want Public Park Land at the Old Soldiers Home to Comment on the CapitalSpace Draft Plan

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:07:21 +0000

Parks are always good, that this is a military reservation,please consider contacting Archdiocese of Military Services on the usage of the land, as it should never become a city there as it has been in that state, semi rural, since Abraham Lincoln’s time.

By: Ross

Ross — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:47:26 +0000

@ Andy.

Totally understandable. They are a bit far removed. While the process appears dead now, there is some good background here — http://www.afrhdevelopment.com/

By: andy

andy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:27:12 +0000

thanks for the clarification! i was under the misimpression it was like a couple dozen WWII vets in their eighties living there.

By: Ross

Ross — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:54:27 +0000

@Andy.

It is not a stagnant population — and after Katrina when one of the big homes was lost, the home is really packed right now. Current enlisted members contribute to the home for their own retirement. So the home isn’t going anywhere.

That said they are vastly underfunded and desperate to sell some of their massive amount of land away. The hope is that much of this land could be purchased by the National Park Service and be dedicated as public park space.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:28:54 +0000

This is what I wrote: I am writing to beseech you to consider keeping Park Land at the Old Soldier’s Home. Trails, parks and playgrounds are among the top three most important community amenities considered when selecting a home, according to the National Association of Home Builders and National Association of Realtors. The quality of life, the environment, and education possibilities would increase with parks. I understand there must be balance of land usages from residential, commercial and industrial, as well as parks and open space. But please do not let parks get lost in the discussion.

By: vonstallin

vonstallin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:55:12 +0000

I like that they had the Cyclocross their for 2 years in a row….other than that…i guess I can let the Vets have something b4 they leave us…..

By: vonstallin

vonstallin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:54:27 +0000

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:11:51 +0000

sorry for the blunt question: how long until all the old folks at the AFRH die and it has to be repurposed anyway?

By: Ross

Ross — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:42:44 +0000

I encourage EVERYONE to write in as this is of great important to the community. I was happy after writing my email to receive a response:

Dear Mr. [Ross]:

Thank you for sending us your comments on the draft CapitalSpace plan. We have been receiving comments from a number of District residents, and while diverse, we’ve heard from a number of people regarding public accessibility to open space at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. While the public comment period continues through December 8, our partner agency team is already reviewing these comments and discussing responses. We’ll keep you informed as we move forward.

Thanks again for your comments,

Jeff Hinkle