commonwealthheritagegroup.com Historic Cemeteries Master Plan Preserving Historic Resources Cies throughout the United States are struggling to care for their historic urban cemeteries, many of which are falling into disrepair. The City of Ausn Parks and Recreaon Department manages five historic municipal cemeteries that contain more than 60,000 burials and is entrusted by families and descendants to care for these sacred places. However, in recent decades, financial strains have created limitaons for both the care and maintenance of the cemeteries. With limited care, the cemetery was reduced to mowing and trash pickup only, leaving historic markers alone, including many unique works of art and craﬅ to deteriorate. In addion, recent droughts have led to the loss of historic trees within the cemeteries, changing their character dramacally. Due to these hardships, the City procured a preservaon master plan to guide the care and management of these precious historic resources. There are few precedents across the country; however, the collaborave team of landscape architects from Commonwealth Heritage Group, archaeologists from AmaTerra Environmental, and historians from McDoux Preservaon all came together to make this project possible. Working alongside city staff, key stakeholders, and public parcipants, the team craﬅed a thoughul approach and robust public engagement that reached a diverse array of community members. The project’s final stages provided a comprehensive review of each cemetery’s history, its exisng condions, and recommendaons for care of its historic resources. Also provided was a concept design plan for improvements, including access, planng, and historical interpretaon. In the end, the plan received naonal aenon, having been featured in several arcles, including the September 2015 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine. In 2016, the City of Ausn Parks and Recreaon Department received an honor award for the project from Preservaon Texas. Location: Texas Date: 2013-2016 Client: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) MK180614-002 Entrance to Ausn Memorial Park Cemetery, built in the 1920s in the Spanish Revival style A grave with a cover that was hand-made from ceramic les in the Oakwood Annex Cemetery.

Historic Cemeteries Master Plan Location: Texas Preserving ... · Historic Cemeteries Master Plan ... Working alongside city staff, key stakeholders, and public participants, the

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Page 1: Historic Cemeteries Master Plan Location: Texas Preserving ... · Historic Cemeteries Master Plan ... Working alongside city staff, key stakeholders, and public participants, the

commonwealthheritagegroup.com

Historic Cemeteries Master PlanPreserving Historic Resources

Cities throughout the United States are struggling to care for their historic urban cemeteries, many of which are falling into disrepair. The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department manages five historic municipal cemeteries that contain more than 60,000 burials and is entrusted by families and descendants to care for these sacred places. However, in recent decades, financial strains have created limitations for both the care and maintenance of the cemeteries. With limited care, the cemetery was reduced to mowing and trash pickup only, leaving historic markers alone, including many unique works of art and craft to deteriorate. In addition, recent droughts have led to the loss of historic trees within the cemeteries, changing their character dramatically.

Due to these hardships, the City procured a preservation master plan to guide the care and management of these precious historic resources. There are few precedents across the country; however, the collaborative team of landscape architects from Commonwealth Heritage Group, archaeologists from AmaTerra Environmental, and historians from McDoux Preservation all came together to make this project possible. Working alongside city staff, key stakeholders, and public participants, the team crafted a thoughtful approach and robust public engagement that reached a diverse array of community members.

The project’s final stages provided a comprehensive review of each cemetery’s history, its existing conditions, and recommendations for care of its historic resources. Also provided was a concept design plan for improvements, including access, planting, and historical interpretation.

In the end, the plan received national attention, having been featured in several articles, including the September 2015 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine. In 2016, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department received an honor award for the project from Preservation Texas.

Location: TexasDate: 2013-2016Client: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD)

MK180614-002

Entrance to Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, built in the 1920s in the Spanish Revival style

A grave with a cover that was hand-made from ceramic tiles in the Oakwood Annex Cemetery.