MASON CITY – NorthIowaToday.com contacted Elmwood Cemetery management regarding their policies on the opening and closing of its entrances. We asked the questions after we received several emails asking us to look into the policies.
Pictured above: Elmwood Cemetery entrance on South Monroe.|
NorthIowaToday.com contacted Elmwood Cemetery management regarding their policies on the opening and closing of its entrances. We asked the questions after we received several emails asking us to look into the policies.
The South Monroe entrance is supposed to close at 4 PM daily. A chain is placed between two posts blocking the entrance at that time. This was done after some graves and other mischief took place in the cemetery after hours.The South Federal and 10th Street entrances are always open.
Here is what we found out:
We asked: “Is there an official policy on the entrances to Elmwood Cemetery and the times the entrances open and close?”
We were told: “Our grounds staff lock the gate as close to 4:00 as possible and still put their equipment away and time out for their end of the day at 4:00. Sometimes, when they are working near the entrance, they may lock the gate a little earlier to be more efficient.”
We asked: “The entrance at 10th street. When will the barricades come down, and why were they put there?”
We were told: “The barricades at the 10th Street entrance are still there because the signage for the speed bumps have not been install yet. It is a safety precaution for visitors to the cemetery until the proper signs can be installed. This will depend upon delivery from prison industries and the city’s ability to get them installed.”
We asked: “Has the early closing of the cemetery entrances helped with the vandalism and disturbances of graves issues?”
We were told: “The reports of theft have dimished since the closing of the Monroe Avenue entrance during the evening and weekend hours. Another benefit family members have mentitoned is that the reduced ‘shortcut’ traffic has created a more peaceful, serene atmosphere within the grounds.”
Elmwood Cemetery 10th Street Entrance new brick installed May of 2011:
