Indiana cemetery dating to 1860s closed to public

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ELKHART — A northern Indiana cemetery that dates to the 1860s has been closed to the public over safety concerns with its riverbank.

Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore ordered the temporary closing of Grace Lawn Cemetery on Sunday. The Elkhart Truth reports city inspections found erosion from people walking on a steep bank of the Elkhart River next to the cemetery.

City officials say the closing is meant to prevent people from being injured and to head off more erosion at the cemetery just east of the city's downtown until repairs can be made.

The City Council has approved spending $59,000 for design work to stabilize the riverbank.

Those wanting to visit a grave site can call the city's Cemetery Department to make arrangements.