Fall Clean-up Day at the Park Heights Cemetery

Park Heights Cemetery was established around 1910 on 10+ acres of land in Brunswick, Maryland. According to some, it was the successor to the old Brunswick Lutheran Cemetery. An old undated plat also mentions “Mt Olivet Cemetery, Brunswick Maryland”, and the layout and streets are similar to Park Heights Cemetery today. Hmmm. The first recorded burial was in 1914.  We don’t know what happened during the years 1910 and 1914. 

Over the last 100+ years, some 2,290 interments have taken place in the 10 acre site that reflects the character of the local Brunswick and Potomac River landscape.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the once proud and well-kept Cemetery fell on hard times, indifference, and a lack of ownership and funds. Historical artifacts were damaged and stolen, monuments were vandalized. Records fell into disarray and sometimes were not kept at all. Weeds grew tall and overcame the grounds. It was a disgrace and a breach of trust to those at rest in the Cemetery, their families and the City of Brunswick. A few good citizens valiantly and voluntarily tried to do their best to sustain some semblance of selective maintenance, but the task was at times overwhelming.

In early 2005, a small group of concerned citizens committed to the challenge, with the support of City and State government representatives. A non-profit all-volunteer organization was formed. Ownership was established, Officers and a Board of Directors were elected, essential committees were formed and bylaws were put into place. Regular meetings were put in motion and made open to the public.

Although the Cemetery had fallen on hard times, the Cemetery team is humbly proud of what has been accomplished so far, and stands ready to sustain that trust.

Trust, confidence, and goodwill have returned in the community. The Cemetery looks neat and well maintained. A good feeling is in the air and many have graciously expressed their “thanks” from near and far.

Even with this success, the Cemetery quietly struggles for every volunteer hour and dollar. Because of the cost of the lawn maintenance alone, priorities had to be put in place for many projects and improvements. Donations, burial space sales, and monument permit fees all go to the maintenance of the cemetery.

A Perpetual Care fund was established from a percentage of every burial space sale. PHC, by law, contributes to a Perpetual Care Trust Fund, but does not offer or sell perpetual care. It is our hope that in the foreseeable future, the Perpetual Care Trust Fund will be sufficient to provide long-term maintenance of the cemetery.