Thank you for your well-written article concerning the state of the Pioneer Cemetery (“Memorial Day celebration brings attention to Eugene Pioneer Cemetery,” ODE May 31). I very much enjoyed reading about the history of one of Eugene’s — and indeed one of our nation’s — most historic cemeteries. Lacking in your analysis of the cemetery, however, are solutions to improving the dire state of the cemetery grounds.
The University, a large institution that takes great benefit from the cemetery’s location on campus, places an undue burden on the site for its contribution to the cemetery’s care. While I am in support of efforts to help beautify the cemetery, as seen on University Day when members of the University community spread bark dust on the cemetery’s eastern edge, the lack of a retaining wall will literally wash away these efforts.
Supporting the cemetery will take more than volunteer efforts. If the University is serious about protecting and preserving a community asset for its students and the community at large, it should either fund the cemetery outright or engage its partners in funding one of campus’ most beautiful and historic locations.
Daniel Ronan
University student