Gracie “Kyla” Johnston, daughter of Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston, uses a leaf blower to remove debris from the gravesites at the Greenwood Memorial Park. A formal rededication ceremony for Centralia’s Greenwood Memorial Park will occur at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28. The public is invited to attend. The ceremony comes after years of restoration efforts by volunteers and the city. The damage done to the cemetery was synonymous with neglect, as former owner John Baker let the place fall into disrepair due to personal and legal troubles, according to previous Chronicle reporting. But since 2018, Centralia received $250,000 from the state to purchase the cemetery, subsequently obtaining an additional $500,000 from the 2019 state capital budget for its restoration. The cemetery had undergone quite the transformation as of 2021. The city and stakeholders removed dead trees, cut back the overgrown brush, power washed the headstones and repainted the concrete vaults, replacing those broken.
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Centralia Community Development Director Emil Pierson, Anna Pierson and Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston pose for a photo at the work party to restore the Greenwood Memorial Park Saturday morning.
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Sybil Kuhn trims grass along headstones at the Greenwood Memorial Park.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Newly erected flag poles as well as a large fountain sit at the center of the Greenwood Memorial Park.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Marie Triana, whose family rests at the Greenwood Memorial Park, mows the grass along with other members of the work party to prepare for the rededication ceremony that will be held Memorial Day weekend.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Roy Triana, whose family rests at the Greenwood Memorial Park, trims grass along a headstone. His wife Marie was also part of the work party.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Don Hays removes pots in preparation for new flowers to be planted at the Greenwood Memorial Park in Centralia off Reynolds road.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Marveen Rohr, the spokesperson for the Greenwood Memorial Park, greets a young child as additional members arrive for the work party to help restore the cemetery.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Loretta Hays, at right, speaks with a member of the community at the Greenwood Memorial Park for a work party that is dedicated to the restoration of the cemetery.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Bright, new flowers are planted at the Greenwood Memorial Park.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
A new fountain sits in the morning sunlight at the center of the Centralia Greenwood Memorial Park.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston talks with a work party member at the Greenwood Memorial Park.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com
A man stands in front of a grave at the Greenwood Memorial Park in Centralia.
Liz Hill / Liz@chronline.com