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Volunteers report 167 hours restoring Crystal Springs and Morton Hill cemeteries; group plans Memorial Day flag display
Summary
The Friends of Crystal Springs and Morton Hill Cemeteries told the board they logged 167 volunteer hours, removed fallen trees and invasive brush, uncovered historic grotto steps and tile drains, and expect to place more than 2,000 veterans flags across both cemeteries by Memorial Day.
The Friends of Crystal Springs and Morton Hill Cemeteries reported to the Benton Harbor Cemetery Board that volunteers logged 167 hours of work in the last month and that 11 different people participated in recent cleanups and repairs.
The presentation described multiple restoration efforts: volunteers removed a fallen tree near the Eaglesfield memorial area, cleared roughly 300 feet of invasive brush by the decorative bridge, and piled branches along the roadside for later disposal. The group also reported uncovering stone steps and about 40 feet of old clay tile drain near the Eaglesfield grotto and said volunteers cleaned and plan to realign the drain to restore its outlet to the main creek.
The presenter said volunteers observed a steelhead salmon running upstream in Box Creek near Crystal Springs, indicating seasonal fish movement in the stretch. The group also said Dr. Thomas Henthorne of the University of Michigan–Flint visited on May 1 to demonstrate headstone cleaning and repair techniques; the presenter said Henthorne will return for a classroom session in the fall and a hands-on demonstration the following year.
"We're always out there Mondays from 10:00 to 1," the presenter said, describing the volunteer schedule and noting that weekend work alternates by month. The group said it has roughly 1,500 veterans flags already in place and expects to place more than 2,000 flags across both cemeteries by Memorial Day; a Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Cross is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.
Board members thanked the volunteers. Chair Frasier said, "Thank you for your work," and members discussed coordination with city safety staff to establish an emergency response plan for the ravine area, where access is limited.
The group also announced outreach plans, including a presentation to the St. Joe Lincoln Senior Center and updated marketing using a newly designed logo. The presenter asked for volunteers and donations to continue maintenance, and said the group is exploring options for security after recent damage to headstones in a separate cemetery off Territorial.
The board acknowledged the report and discussed follow-up: working with city safety to ensure emergency access and continuing maintenance work such as widening Morning Sun Drive to improve access. The presenter said the group hopes to install at least one picnic table by the end of the year and will continue scheduling educational workshops with University of Michigan–Flint staff.
