Demolition Derby

PARD has consistently argued that one reason that it must implement new cemetery rules and regulations is that the memorial gardens and borders interfere with PARD's use of large riding lawnmowers and other heavy equipment. This claim ignores that fact that many of the gardens have been in place for decades and mowing does not appear to have been an issue until PARD took over "care" of the cemetery in 2013. Prior to that, PARD's contractor, Intercare, appears to have had no issues regarding mowing or memorial gardens. In 2006 my sister-in-law planted a memorial garden on her daughter’s grave in Austin Memorial Park (AMP) because of the tire tracks and ruts left over the grave by maintenance equipment. The destruction and desecration of graves by PARD's heavy equipment not only continues unabated, the problem will become even worse with the illegal and unethical removal of the borders and gardens. PARD had repeatedly, and falsely, claimed that families are refusing to purchase plots at cemeteries such as AMP because of "unsightly" gravesite gardens and memorials. I would think that finding deep tire tracks and ruts across a gravesite would be a bigger disincentive. These photographs were taken by me on December 29, 2022, on a visit to my parents' and niece's gravesites. I did not have to go searching for these blatant acts of disrespect and desecration, as they are all in close proximity to my family's plots.

I have no words that express my disgust, distress, and anger at this callous and contemptuous treatment by PARD of what is supposed to be hallowed ground. This is why I and other members of my family have been fighting since 2013 to preserve the memorial gardens on our loved ones' graves to prevent PARD from turning their final resting places into its private demolition derby. 

In addition to ruts left by tires, this gravesite is further defiled by deep muddy bootprints.

A toppled headstone within inches of deep tire tracks. The City of Austin Historic Cemeteries Master Plan (Master Plan) issued in August of 2015 noted damage to headstones resulting from the use of heavy equipment and in fact recommended that PARD avoid using riding mowers near markers and plot enclosures. Note the nearby crumpled American flag. These flags are placed on the gravesites of those who have served in America's armed forces by organizations honoring veterans. Perhaps this is PARD's way of thanking a veteran for his or her service.

Another flag by an overturned stone.

In loving memory. . .but not by PARD.

This sacrilegious and shameful treatment of the final resting places of loved ones is a disgrace to the entire City of Austin. AMP is an important historical cemetery, but it is clear that PARD neither respects its history nor those buried here. The proposed rules PARD is trying to ramrod through are all about what is cheapest and most convenient for PARD and have nothing to do with the caring and respectful maintenance of Austin's cemeteries.