Metro will observe Memorial Day at its pioneer cemeteries this weekend
Metro and volunteers will honor veterans over Memorial Day weekend at some of its pioneer cemeteries. Staff and volunteers, including students from Central Catholic High School, as well as members of the Sons of the Union Veterans, will be on hand at the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, SW Boones Ferry Road at SW Palatine Hill Road; Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery at SE 26th Avenue and SE Stark Street; Multnomah Park Cemetery located at SE 82nd Avenue and SE Holgate Boulevard.
Metro staff and volunteers from Friends of Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery and Multnomah Park Cemetery will be available to help locate grave sites, provide metal vases for flowers and share information about these historic sites. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Friends table at either Lone Fir or Multnomah Park Pioneer Cemetery, to add contact information to their descendants records. Staff and volunteers will be on hand May 26, 27 and 28, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors should note that Metro will be enforcing its rules on grave memorials beginning Nov. 1, 2012. Information will be posted at each of its cemeteries providing ample time for the public to remove unauthorized items.
Metro is planning for the future of their pioneer cemeteries by caring for the past. In order to do that, Metro needs to have consistency in maintenance of the cemeteries. Metro's rules and regulations follow the best practices in the industry. Past enforcement leniencies have caused conflicts between adjacent plot owners, neighborhoods and has also created safety issues placing Metro in a position where exhaustive efforts take place in doing the simplest maintenance tasks in grounds care. The goal is for long term sustainable operations of the pioneer cemeteries.
For more information contact Metro's cemetery office at 503-797-1709 or visit its website.
