Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
"An Unacceptable Situation": Green-Wood Cemetery Issues Stern Warning To Rule Breakers
By
Caroline Lewis
Published May 2, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Peter Foley/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
By
Caroline Lewis
Published May 2, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
When Brooklynites start to go stir crazy and unable to spend another second in their homes, some head over to Green-Wood Cemetery, a (usually) serene 478-acre green space just south of Prospect Park. At first, management at Green-Wood Cemetery embraced the uptick in visitors it saw during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, opening additional entrances to accommodate them.
But it seems some people have been treating the space more like a public park than an active cemetery, driving Green-Wood President Richard Moylan to issue a “stern warning” Friday.
“The conduct of a small percentage of our visitors has created an unacceptable situation,” Moylan said in an email sent out to newsletter subscribers. “If things don’t change, we may be left with no choice but to close our gates as many other cemeteries have done.”
According to Moylan, people have been riding bikes, letting their kids climb trees, and taking their dogs for a walk—all of which are against the rules. Some visitors have even stolen the flowers from people’s graves. All of this is happening as cemetery staff are working harder than ever to keep up with the deaths wrought by the coronavirus.
Green-Wood Cemetery (Jen Chung / Gothamist)
Gothamist
“None of these actions is appropriate or permitted,” Moylan wrote.
With the weather getting warmer this weekend, Moylan predicts large crowds and is enlisting volunteers to act as so-called Green-Wood Ambassadors to make sure visitors stay in line.
People on Twitter are already taking it upon themselves to scold those who might “ruin this for the rest of us” by misbehaving.
But worries about the effects of warm weather are not limited to Green-Wood Cemetery.
“The warmer weather tells us we’re going to have a new challenge,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference Friday.
His plan to open up 40 miles of streets in May began Saturday morning with seven miles of open streets, mainly near parks, available for New Yorkers to roam. Open streets will eventually increase by up to 100 miles over the course of the pandemic, intended to help provide people with more space to be outside while continuing to social distance.
“This is going to help people to have some more space,” de Blasio said. “But also with vigilant eyes to make sure there’s no gatherings, there are no attempts by people to create sports or group activities.”
The NYPD said 1,000 officers will be tasked to monitor social distancing today, some on foot while others patrolling by bike.
On Twitter last night, the Mayor pleaded, "PLEASE practice social distancing and stay safe."
(And please wear a mask.)
Tagged
COVID-19
green-wood cemetery
brooklyn
coronavirus
Caroline Lewis
Caroline Lewis is on the health care beat for WNYC and Gothamist. She has covered COVID, a nurses' strike, the overdose crisis and New York’s marijuana legalization effort, and spent a year investigating patients' medical bills. She always wants to hear about how everyday New Yorkers experience the health system. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .