When the region's first cemeteries were established, space was hardly at a premium. But as cities have grown around the cemeteries, corralling them between neighborhoods and highways, they're quickly running out of room to grow
That's why Metro has stopped selling graves at another of its 14 pioneer cemeteries because of a lack of available plots.
On Aug. 18, Metro announced it would no longer be offering grave plots at Gresham Pioneer Cemetery, irking family members who had hoped to be buried near their relatives at the site, according to cemetery employees. As the staff looks toward a future of quickly shrinking space in their once-vacant cemeteries, they must ask an unavoidable question: Where can we find more space?
Rachel Fox, Metro's Pioneer Cemetery program manager, says that it ultimately requires public involvement.
"There's only a finite amount of land left, and the spaces that remain will fill up pretty quick," Fox said. "At this point, we are trying to involve the community as much as we can to brainstorm a solution."
For now, family members and others who had hoped to be buried in the Gresham Pioneer Cemetery can purchase plots adjacent to the cemetery in the smaller – but more vacant – White Birch and Escobar cemeteries, also owned by Metro. People who already reserved a space in Gresham Pioneer will not lose their spot.
Sales of new plots have already ended at Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery and Multnomah Park Cemetery in Portland.
But, Fox said, it's hard to say what will happen once these three lots are completely filled. Metro has been working to establish cremation gardens – smaller areas within a cemetery where relatives can bury cremated remains – because they don't use as much space. However, it's too late for this move at Gresham Pioneer.
"We've got no space for a garden in Gresham," Fox said. "This is why we must plan ahead for others and work with each site individually with their unique characteristics."
Fox said she would like to see Gresham Pioneer take on a role similar to Lone Fir Pioneer Cemetery, another Metro cemetery now closed for sale, by introducing tours and events on the grounds. Utahna Kerr, education director at the Gresham History Society, said she wouldn't be surprised if Gresham put effort into taking this step. The historical society currently leads walking tours and school fieldtrips in the cemetery.
"I know the city of Gresham will want to conserve it as a part of the city's history, since so many of the area's founders are buried here," Kerr said. "It's an important piece of Gresham."
The cemetery, founded in 1859, is the final resting place for many Oregon pioneers and founders, including a woman who is believed to be the first Japanese person to live in the state. Bordered by Johnson Creek and the Springwater Corridor trail, the historic cemetery is hard to miss.
"The Gresham Pioneer Cemetery's location next to the Springwater Corridor means that people from around the region know it as a landmark and as a piece of our history," said Metro Councilor Shirley Craddick in an e-mail.
Craddick's Metro Council district includes Gresham.
"I’m pleased that we are ensuring use of best practices to manage the cemetery while maintaining it as a place to walk, rest, and reflect," she said.
To take the cemetery to the next level, and gather community input on the future of the region's cemeteries, Metro appointed a Cemetery Advisory Committee on Aug. 9. The group's focus is to advise Metro on strategies to protect, preserve, and promote Metro’s Pioneer Cemeteries as many make the transition from usable gravesites to historic markers. Fox said she hopes this group will help these cemeteries grow and flourish in their surrounding communities.
"Compared to other cemeteries across the county, this is a unique idea," Fox said. "We're talking about the issues before we are forced to deal with them and letting the community have their say. I'm looking forward to what we can come up with."
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