Riverside Cemetery in need of repairs

By Johnna Klossing, jklossing@cbs4qc.com

The Riverside Cemetery in Moline is known for its beautiful views, peaceful setting, and history. However, a piece of that history could come tumbling down if something isn't done soon. A 138-year-old retaining wall supports a small portion of the cemetery, but it is crumbling. That's why Tuesday city leaders voted to pay for a study that will determine the best way to fix the wall, so the areas founding fathers, don't go sliding down the hill.

"That's something we do not want to happen, we want to keep the citizens of Moline in place, it's a duty we have to maintain cemeteries," Moline Mayor Don Welvaert said.

Welvaert said the wall has been a concern for a while. Several years ago part of it even caused a mud slide right into the Riverside Park pool.

"There was a portion of the hillside that did erode away, washed down the hill and indeed did go into the new aquatics center. We had to drain it and clean it out."

Welvaert said the engineering study will not only take a look at the stability of this retaining wall, but the entire hillside, which is covered in headstones.

"The engineering firm will evaluate the entire hillside to make sure either a, it is an isolated incident, or b... more work is needed to secure the sloping hillside."

Moline Resident Paul Kelty walks his dog in the cemetery several times a week and said he is glad the city is stepping up to preserve the historic site.

"I think it's a worthwhile thing with the history behind this cemetery. There are so many areas where they have let cemeteries just go to waste. This one is fairly well preserved in general, so that keeping that up is a good thing," Kelty said.

The study will cost around $27,000. City leaders said once it's complete they will decide what to do next. They said they do have $200,000 set aside for repairs.

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Riverside Cemetery in need of repairs