Volunteers Needed for Cemetery Cleanup

St. Petersburg City Council Member Wengay Newton is coordinating a second volunteer cleanup effort at the historic Lincoln Cemetery, 600 58th St. S., on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Located on the edge of St. Petersburg and the city of Gulfport, the Lincoln Cemetery is the final resting place for generations of African Americans -- among them Civil War veterans, community leaders and ordinary citizens as well as Newton’s mother.  

Volunteers are needed for the cleanup.

According to a city news release, the public is invited to lend a hand and if possible, also bring their own lawn maintenance tools, small equipment such as weed trimmers, water and refreshments. 

The first cleanup effort was held on a Saturday in November.

“The place definitely is in need of attention. Our goal is to see what we can accomplish in a few outings to address this issue in our community,” Newton said in the news release. “Working together, we hope to improve the appearance of the place and show respect for those buried there as well as their survivors.”

Parking will be available at nearby Boca Ciega High School.