2019-144 Oakwood Cemetery AvailablityDate: June 21, 2019 Report No. 2019-144
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Update on plot availability and opportunities to plant trees in abandoned right-of-way at Oakwood
Cemetery.
BACKGROUND:
At the May 21, 2019, City Council meeting, Council Member Meltzer requested information on
the ability to add plots or trees on abandoned ROW at Oakwood Cemetery.
DISCUSSION:
On Feb. 24, 1858, Hiram and Elizabeth Cisco deemed the land for what is now called Oakwood
Cemetery to Denton County. The cemetery was then called "City Cemetery," or "Woodland
Cemetery." Before 1915, the City of Denton owned one portion of the cemetery, and the County
owned the other part. To simplify administration and proper upkeep of the grounds, the County
deeded its share to the City. The significant problem with Oakwood, almost since its origin in
1857, has been the loss, or lack of records for burials. Many of the cemetery records were burned
and lost in the courthouse fire in December 1875.
The cemetery has over 4,832 known graves, and many unmarked graves. Without detailed records,
it is difficult to determine the location and number of available plots. Currently, there are only two
known next-available spaces for immediate burials. There are 67 known pre-need or pre-purchased
plots that must be honored within the property.
When a customer buys a companion space, they learn that they are purchasing the right to intern a
body, not a specific plot of land. Therefore, they understand there is no guarantee that family
members would be buried adjacent to each other.
With the large number of unknown and unmarked graves, it sometimes becomes necessary to move
to the next available space, because the space requested is occupied. In these situations, the nearest
available grave is located and used. There is no certainty that family members can be buried next
to each other.
To honor the previously sold, pre-need spaces, PARD staff are reserving one of the non-necessary
roads. This road runs between Blocks 4 and 5 and ends at the fence by Sycamore Street (see map
below).
Staff hired a contractor to perform ground-penetrating radar (GPR) on Block 4. The City will
receive a map identifying locations of burials for both marked and unmarked graves in a grid
format, as well as a known number of vacant spaces. Once the GPR findings are finalized, staff
will consider future burials utilizing vacant spaces in Block 4.
CONCLUSION:
Staff expects the GPR analysis to be received soon. If Block 4 reveals a large number of available
plots, some will be used for burials while reserving some space for any possible anomalies.
Date: June 21, 2019 Report No. 2019-144
Unless otherwise directed, staff will identify funding to conduct a full ground-penetrating radar
assessment of the rest of the cemetery to determine marked graves, unmarked graves, and vacant
plots. This process will provide an accurate historical record of the cemetery, as well as
information for potential burials. This information will also be valuable in determining how much
longer Oakwood Cemetery can be open for burials.
At this time there are two known, available burial plots. Staff is working on relocating a
maintenance dirt pile with the intention of using the gravel road between Block 4 and 6 (image #1)
for future burials. While conducting the GPR for the entire cemetery we will be able to assure that
no burials are beneath the road.
Also, PARD staff will remove the aforementioned section of road between Block 4 and 5 (image
#2), install soil and turf, and utilize that space for pre-paid burials.
The road between Block 5 and 7 (image #3) will be preserved at this time with concern of impact
(3) large Sycamore trees due to digging.
In regards to future tree planting, staff planted acorns in select areas of each cemetery to attempt a
natural planting process to spur new growth of trees without dedicated irrigation. However, this
may be difficult due to contractor maintenance and consistency of the message of the tree planting
to contractor staffing (images #4 and 5).
Until the GPR delivers their finding, any request after two available plots will be directed to IOOF
Cemetery until further notice. Once closed, all inquiries would be directed to IOOF Cemetery.
STAFF CONTACT:
Gary Packan
Director of Park and Recreation
gary.packan@cityofdenton.com
REQUESTOR: Council Member Meltzer
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Parks and Recreation
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 3 Hours
OAKWOOD CEMETERY
Date: June 21, 2019 Report No. 2019-144
IMAGE #1 – Area between Block 4 and 6
(Remove dirt pile, road, and use for future burials)
Date: June 21, 2019 Report No. 2019-144
IMAGE #2 – Area between Block 4 and 5
(Reserve for “Pre-Paid” Burials)
IMAGE #3 – Area between Block 5 and 7
(Keep as is at this time to assure trees are not damaged due to digging)
Date: June 21, 2019 Report No. 2019-144
IMAGE #4 – Natural acorn plantings at cemetery
IMAGE #5 – Natural acorn mature plantings at cemetery