Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove
Most visitors to cemeteries come bearing flowers and mementos not rakes, shovels, and cleaning supplies. At Grand View Memorial Park in Glendale, there is a hardy group of visitors who regularly arrive at the struggling cemetery ready to put in several hours of serious work; from clearing weeds and debris to cleaning tombstones and grave markers.
Photo: FLLewis/A Writer’s Groove
Grand View will be open tomorrow, Sunday, September 6, from noon to 4 p.m., and if you drop by you’ll probably see some of these dedicated visitors hard at work, no matter how hot and dry the weather conditions. Grand View, a landmark in the local Burbank/Glendale community, has been in legal limbo for several years. Most of the problems for the 125-year-old cemetery began in 2005 when a state investigator discovered thousands of human remains that had been mishandled.
The cemetery is no longer a lush green resting place with rose gardens and an abundance of shady trees. It is in desperate need of care, therefore, a crew of visitors/volunteers pitch in when and where they can.
Grand View is open only on certain days by order of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Anthony Mohr. Later this month, Grand View will be open on September 20, and next month, on October 4 and 18. Grand View is located at 1341 Glenwood Road in Glendale.
