Austin's cemeteries have a long list of problems — broken headstones, aging fences and outdated irrigation systems. Some cemeteries aren't even compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
But the City of Austin is developing a comprehensive plan on how to preserve some of the oldest cemeteries in the city.
Kim McKnight, a project coordinator for the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, said the department is holding a public meeting on Saturday to gather the pubic's ideas on how best to preserve the cemeteries.
“We’re very interested in trying to see what we can do to better interpret the history of these cemeteries because there’s some very significant individuals and people who have contributed to the City of Austin who are buried in these cemeteries,” said McKnight.
The master plan will cover all five city operated cemeteries located within Austin. McKnight said that preserving burial places is especially important for the community.
“Each cemetery has people buried there are significant Austin citizens, and Austin is the caretaker of these citizens,” said McKnight.
The cemetery master plan meeting is on Saturday, June 8. The meeting starts at 2 p.m. at the Carver Branch Library. A second meeting will be held on June 12.
