Community Corner

Volunteers Needed to Restore Historic Newark Cemetery

Woodland Cemetery board meeting Saturday to discuss cleanup plan.

The board of one of the city’s oldest cemeteries is planning a sweeping rehabilitation of the site.

The public is invited to attend a public meeting Saturday convened by the board of managers of Woodland Cemetery, an almost 150-year-old burial site at the corner of Rose and Bergen streets.

The meeting will be held at the New Jersey Historical Society, 50 Park Place, at 11 am.

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The new board will discuss its plans for lawn maintenance, clearing fallen trees, repairing damaged tombstones, installing fencing and a gate, organizing fundraisers, and obtaining additional funding to help maintain the cemetery grounds. The board is calling upon lot owners, the local community, interested citizens, and family members of those buried in the cemetery to attend the meeting and provide constructive input and suggestions. Volunteers are also being sought to help plan and staff fundraisers and cleanup events, index cemetery records and assist with other important initiatives.

The cemetery has been a hub for crime and violence for several decades. With no gate or fence surrounding the grounds, many tombstones have been moved, vandalized and even stolen. The cemetery suffered additional damage during Superstorm Sandy, and the uncleared trees and branches have prevented the near four-foot high grass from being cut in over a year.

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The grounds are the final resting place for more than 80,000 individuals, including over 500 veterans who served in every major conflict from the War of 1812 through Vietnam. For many years, the cemetery was maintained through the efforts of volunteers.  A cleanup two years ago included ex-offenders, members of the Greater Newark Conservancy and other members of the community.

Those interested in volunteering to help the board are encouraged to contact Dan Silva at dsilva@woodlandcemeterynnj.org.


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