Tampa saved a century-old Black cemetery after its owner died
Memorial Park Cemeteryâs owner died in 2019 and his heirs divested themselves of it. The city has since taken over maintenance.
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A pedestrian is seen at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tampa. The cemetery opened in 1919 and was recently cleaned up by the City of Tampa after the former owner had died and left the grounds in disrepair. [ CHRIS URSO | Times ]
TAMPA â Memorial Park Cemetery looks better tended without an active owner than when it had one.
The century-old, segregation-era Black cemeteryâs former owner, John Robinson, cared for the 20 acres on his own, a job he admitted was difficult. Overgrown tree branches dipped to the ground and covered sections of graves. Burial records were a mess.