Green-Wood Cemetery Threatens To Close Gates Over Bad Behavior

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Green-Wood Cemetery's tranquil paths and shady trees proved a welcome escape for Brooklynites from the coronavirus. But some behaved badly and forced the cemetery to reconsider its gesture of opening its gates to give people an outbreak open space.

"They have brought their dogs," wrote cemetery President Richard J. Moylan on Friday. "They've ridden bikes. Their kids have climbed trees. They've taken flowers that had been placed on graves. None of these actions is appropriate or permitted.⁠"

It's a small percentage of visitors, to be sure, but the situation is bad enough that the cemetery is considering a drastic measure, Moylan wrote in the email and Facebook post.

"If things don’t change, we may be left with no choice but to close our gates as many other cemeteries have done," he wrote.

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The cemetery nestled between Park Slope, Sunset Park and other west and south Brooklyn neighborhoods opened its gates about a month ago to give people an open space, a connection to nature and a place for serenity, Moylan wrote.

Thousands showed up and respected the cemetery. But a few did not, Moylan wrote.

Cemetery staff expect large numbers of people to visit over the weekend, when temperatures are expected to reach above 70 degrees.

Moylan wrote people could join volunteers to make sure visitors follow the rules.

"We hope, together, we can keep Green-Wood open and available for everyone," he wrote.

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