Another entry in the what-the-hell-does-Metro-do file: managing Portland’s 14 “Pioneer Cemeteries.” These include Lone Fir Cemetery in Southeast and Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Southwest. Aside from being bucolic resting spots for settlers recent and historical, they also generate revenue through the sale of gravesites—which, in turn, pays to maintain the sites.
- —b— on Flickr
Today’s Oregonian has a piece about an impending cemetery budget shortfall for Metro, based on the lack of available spots (fewer than 4,300 remain). Metro stopped selling plots at Lone Fir in 2009.
The alternatives to dead paying customers? Metro is considering a tax district or entry fees. So, there you have it: urban growth boundaries, regional parks, hazardous waste disposal, and cemeteries. Know your regional government, folks!
Dig the people up, put them in tunnels under the city, (line the big pipe with them!) and then charge admission for people to come visit.
Seriously, that is what they do in France…
“City Club recommends formation of regional cemetery authority”
I find it remarkable that cemeteries still exist anywhere in this day and age. I mean, duh… “they also generate revenue through the sale of gravesites” = obvious non-renewable resource; “which, in turn, pays to maintain the sites” = obvious unsustainable pyramid scheme. San Francisco evicted all of their dead people (what a bunch of non-contributing tax-base freeloaders!) 98 years ago. How can it be that Portland still hasn’t done the same?
Because Portland “kept it weird.”
Cemeteries have to be the most egregious waste of space known to man. I can’t believe we still cling to these silly superstitions. Cremate. Return to soil. Recycling works, people.
What’s with the hate for cemetaries? I personally won’t choose to be buried, but they make for very interesting parks, and it’s good green space in general.
If I wanted uninterrupted miles of dense residential blocks, I’d live in a bigger city.
If you want a park, make a park. I’m guessing frisbee and hackysack are no-no’s at a cemetary, along with picnics and public intercourse. Actually, intercourse in a cemetery seems like one of its only valid uses.
What about jogging? Is it appropriate to jog through the cemetery? I currently run around Lone Fir, but it looks so pleasant in there.
Wait are we allowed to have picnics in cemeteries?
http://www.friendsoflonefircemetery.org/me…
I don’t see any reason why you can’t jog through the cemetery, or have a picnic there. It’s publicly owned, life’s for the living and all that.
There’s some level of decorum that should exist, and I like the idea that not all park-like spaces have to be “used” in exactly the same way.
Like my grandma always said, “Why don’t you go somewhere else to play hacky sack and fuck?”
Classic!