A Tuesday night meeting at Johnny Dee's Lounge in Parkville will focus on an ailing local landmark.
Oakleigh Pet Cemetery, located in the Ridgeleigh neighborhood, contains the graves of pets dating back to the 1920's, according to an email from the Ridgeleigh Community Association.
The cemetery site, located at 8408 Oakleigh Road, has become a concern for the neighbors since falling into disrepair.
"The grounds have become overgrown with weeds and brush, the headstones have been vandalized, debris and litter covers the graves, and the cemetery is fast becoming a refuge for juvenile delinquents and rodents," according to the email. "The current state of the cemetery has earned its current owner tens of thousands of dollars in fines and the ire of many local residents. The cemetery is now in danger of development due to foreclosure as a result of fines and back taxes."
At 7 p.m. Feb. 19, the group will hear from Bigg Jim Jones of the Paranormal Research and Investigative Society of Maryland about the current condition of the cemetery and strategies for its restoration.
During the recent Comprehensive Zoning Map Process, Fifth District Councilman David Marks decreased the residential zoning density on the property to protect it from future development.
Read Marks' blog about the cemetery on Patch.
Marks also introduced legislation back in October to protect those who had purchased plots at the cemetery.
The Ridgeleigh Community Association, though, is hoping that neither the zoning change nor the new law come into play. They'd like to see the space, where it's rumored a pet monkey that belonged to actress Shirley Temple is buried, restored and preserved.
"We are hoping to generate interest in preserving the cemetery and protecting it from any future development. We are also interested in possibly partnering with others in the area in order to organize clean up and restoration efforts," an email from the group said. "Hopefully, together we can save this local landmark from destruction before it is too late."
Do you think the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery should be preserved? Do you know someone who has a pet buried there? Tell us in the comments.
Thanks! Mike Kaspar Compliant Committee Chair Ridgeleigh Community Association http://www.ridgeleigh.net/
Thanks for your post. And I will bring this to the RCA board and let them know about the GSA and possibly BSA being interested in helping out.
len of parkville
This great news! I forwarded your contact info to Bill Deysher. He is the president of Ridgeleigh CA, and is lead on this project. He will be in touch. Thanks for your response! Mike Kaspar Compliant Committee Chair Ridgeleigh Community Association http://www.ridgeleigh.net/
Beth
Ridgeleigh Community Association is in contact and working with the owner for the clean up efforts and/or restoration. We are in the beginning phase of this project. As for you parent's markers, I am not sure what the laws are, but I do know it is considered private property, so I do not recommend trespassing or removing anything from the property. I suggest coming to the meeting and giving us your contact information so we can keep you updated with our progress. Or if you have questions someone from the meetings might be able to answer them. Kind regards, Mike Kaspar Compliant Committee Chair Ridgeleigh Community Association http://www.ridgeleigh.net/
Johnny Dee's Lounge in the banquet room. 1706 Joan Ave Parkville, MD 21234 Thanks, Mike
Not only does the cemetery get the work the scout troops get community credit and the the individual scouts should be able to count the work towards their community service requirements for school graduation! I don't, at this time, have a personal tie to the place but as a pet lover can't stand the thought of it being desecrated! I probably can't make the meeting but would like to keep tabs on the progress and would consider coming out on a cleanup day if my schedule allows.
I think these questions need to be asked and answered before "bailing out" the property owner who obviously doesn't know how to or isn't able to take care of the place anymore. Would love to hear details on how this all came about, why the property is in the current state it is, and how it got there. I am all for saving the place but I would hate to see all these good people donate their time and energy into something that was eventually going to collapse down the road. I own a local landscape company and would CONSIDER some type of donation if I was satisfied all of these concerns were addressed. I won't be able to attend the meeting due to a prior commitment, but keep the story updated.
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