Forest Preserve District to Acquire Cemetery

[bachelorsgrove_com]

As most of you are aware, the cemetery is under the control and supervision of the Real Estate Management Office of Cook County. Although maintenance of the cemetery is to be shared with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County there are some changes taking place.

It has come to our attention that the Forest Preserve District will be taking over complete ownership and responsibility of the cemetery at some point this year. What this will mean for the true care and maintenance of the cemetery remains to be seen. During these hard fiscal times for Illinois it will be interesting to see how much attention they will be able to give to the cemetery and its surrounding area.

During an attempt to secure a permit for a clean-up in June of this year we were told that during this process of transferring ownership all permit requests will have to be denied. We will keep you updated on further developments as information becomes available.

For the moment all volunteers are still welcome to attend the smaller clean-ups in which we simply pick up trash left behind by visitors to the cemetery. As for any other clean-ups in the future which involve trimming weeds and cutting grass, this duty may, and most certainly should be, handled by the Forest Preserve District themselves. Of course if they can’t maintain the cemetery on a regular basis the GRP will most certainly extend a helping hand. Again, we will keep you updated on further developments as information becomes available.

[Aten]

I sure hope if they take over the downed trees will be cut up. It`s pretty sad that the one is setting on top of the tombstone and has been there for who knows how long.

[MarkMc1990]

Hmm would this be good news or bad news for cemetery goers? Like could this mean any changes for whether or not you're allowed in the cemetery even during the day, etc?

[bachelorsgrove_com]

Another phone call was recently placed with the Forest Preserve Resource Management Office about the three trees. It was stated that they would issue a report about them, at that very moment, and that no letter was necessary to be mailed.

We will see what happens in the next month. If there is no progress a letter will be sent.


Pete

[bachelorsgrove_com]

There is a very small rumor that they might post signs at the cemetery stating that entry is not allowed. Until such an event, it would still be legal to enter the grounds. Posting signs, however, would still present a challenge on their part and would certainly not be in the best interest of the public not to mention the cemetery.... As history has shown, trying to prevent entry to the cemetery and limit "foot traffic" only isolates the area and becomes more prone to vandalism.

If a sign does become posted I would certainly challenge the issue and try to have it removed. That is of course, unless the vandals remove it themselves on a constant basis.... Yet another challenge I suppose, and if a sign is not present upon arrival a visitor would have no idea they are not to enter, hence they can't be issued a fine let alone be arrested on their "first" recorded warning. But I would still focus my resources on having it removed anyway and present to them the very positive effects of keeping it open to the public.


Pete