PORT ANGELES — Clallam County is taking a closer look at the future of the Port Crescent Pioneer Cemetery, as commissioners reviewed its structure, needs, and next steps.
At the center of the discussion is a lack of clear structure. The county has owned the cemetery since 1905, with a volunteer board added in the 1970s — but there’s still no formal system defining who handles operations, budgeting, or long-term planning.
County Parks, Fairs and Facilities Director Don Crawford says they’re working with the group that oversees the cemetery.
“Working with the committee, the most important things that needed to be done — a bunch of the signage is beyond repair. The perimeter fence and the flagpole need to be replaced. There are some headstones that need to be serviced. There is a lane that kind of goes through there that currently has pieces of PVC sticking up, and it’s not real aesthetically pleasing. We found some brass fittings that will be at grade, so it’ll be a little nicer looking,” said Crawford.
A key part of that effort is new funding. The cemetery has been awarded an Historic Cemetery Grant, but work can’t begin until the agreement is finalized — expected later this spring. The state funding is aimed at restoration, preservation, and maintenance.
County Administrator Todd Mielke says the grant could help address those deferred needs.
“Most counties aren’t in the cemetery business. Usually, we have a cemetery district with a separately elected board that kind of oversees those operations. And so I think we’re trying to kind of figure this out — how do we work with the volunteer board, how are decisions made, how do we budget things? And so this is kind of a start from scratch conversation,” said Mielke.
Next steps include building a timeline and making sure the work meets grant requirements.