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Council OKs Daughters’ plan for engraved paver garden near Pioneer Cemetery
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Summary
Willard City Council gave permission for the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers to install an engraved paver garden at Pioneer Cemetery and asked staff to coordinate a site visit and maintenance plan; the group said it can supply pavers and plans to pursue a state grant for engraving.
Donna Weaver, representing the South Box Elder County camps of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, asked the Willard City Council on April 23 for permission to install an engraved paver garden near Pioneer Cemetery.
"We would like to make a paver garden somewhere ... by the Pioneer Cemetery," Weaver said, describing plans for flat, ground-level engraved bricks and saying the organization can provide roughly 300 pavers at no cost and would pay about $10 per brick for engraving. She said the group will seek a state grant to cover engraving if needed and wants to work with city maintenance so installation does not interfere with mowing or sprinkler lines.
The request drew practical questions from council members about location, maintenance and vandalism prevention. Councilors and staff discussed placing the pavers in a straight line or small terrace on the park’s northeast corner, avoiding sprinkler heads, and laying pavers on a concrete bed rather than cutting them into turf to reduce maintenance and tripping hazards.
Mayor Pro Tem Mike Brager recommended adding a small interpretive plaque to explain the Daughters’ role and the memorial purpose of the installation. Staff suggested a site visit and temporary sprinkler-flagging to mark the area before construction.
After the discussion, Council member Rod moved to allow the project to proceed and to schedule a site visit with staff; Jake Bodley seconded. The council voted in favor and the motion carried, with staff instructed to coordinate placement, confirm sprinkler and utility locations and return any necessary details for implementation.
Weaver told council the group still needs to finalize whether pavers will be recessed in the ground or laid on a concrete bed, but said they will continue fundraising and pursue a state grant next fall if available. She said the group’s goal is to create a maintainable, low-profile memorial that families can visit and that will not encourage off-road vehicle use through the cemetery.
The council asked the Daughters to contact Diane in city staff to arrange the site visit and to work with Peyton and public works to finalize dimensions and maintenance plans. With the motion approved, the group may begin detailed planning and coordinate construction through the city’s staff channels.