Ever since the Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association assumed responsibility for the cemetery almost a quarter of a century ago, one of our important goals has been to remove invasive plants and propagate native plant species, as time and funds permitted.

 

Part of that project, of course, meant planting new natives and keeping them healthy until they were well rooted. Several years ago we installed a large underground water distribution system which meant the landscaping crew didn't have to drag hoses (or buckets full of water) all over the 10 acres to water new plants. This has worked very well, but still required a lot of time-consuming manual labor.

 

One of the next projects the cemetery decided to do was to transform the main entrance at 25th and University into a place that reflected the beauty of the flora inside the grounds. Because we wanted this area around the entrance gate to look fresh and healthy throughout the summer, an automatic irrigation system was needed. Additionally, one side of Hope Abbey Mausoleum needed irrigating.

 

Now, through a grant from the Lane County Cultural Coalition, funding from other sources, as well as crucial input from our Landscape Manager, Wendi Propst, we have finished the work necessary to assure these two areas will remain bright and fresh through the hot, dry days of a Eugene summer. It also frees up limited hours of our talented landscape crew to concentrate on other needed projects. Wendi is happy with the results so far, so I'm sure the flora will be too. And, a hearty thank you is necessary to Denny Hellesvig for managing the project.