City of Lake Wales staff are planning to enhance areas of the Lake Wales Cemetery. Deputy City Manager Joanna Abernathy met with staff members from various departments to coordinate the plan.
Plans include allocating more labor and materials. City parks and support staff are scheduled to remove weeds and rake uneven areas on the property. Additional support persons are scheduled to help maintain the property on weekends. Materials, such as grass seed and sod will be placed in select areas.
“There’s work to be done at the cemetery,” Abernathy said. The deputy city manager recently toured the City’s three cemeteries with staff to assess the current conditions and provide recommendations.
One item presented in the plan includes obtaining quotes for the purchase and installation of a fence. The new fencing will extend the current fence by the south entrance, serving as a barrier to exclude nuisance wildlife.
Sinking headstones were addressed during the planning discussion. “Once a cause of sinkage is determined, the City will inform the owner and determine the appropriate course of action,” Public & Support Services Director Teressa Allen said.
Staff shortages and loss of outside support persons were partially responsible for the maintenance of the cemetery.
City staff and the City Manager’s Office value everyone’s feedback and patience as we continue to enhance the Lake Wales Cemetery. Our goal is to be transparent and share information with cemetery plot deed owners and residents.
For more information, please refer to the city code of ordinances provided to plot deed owners when a plot is purchased.
Memorials, plants and grave decorations/flags: http://lakewales.elaws.us/code/ordinances_ch2_artvi_div4
Burial spaces: http://lakewales.elaws.us/code/ordinances_ch2_artvi_div2
The roles and responsibilities of City cemetery maintenance and administration: http://lakewales.elaws.us/code/ordinances_ch2_artvi