Metro invites community members to participate in an online survey about its revised design proposal for a memorial planned at the historic Chinese section of Lone Fir Cemetery.
The survey, which is open until May 15, is available online at oregonmetro.gov/lonefirgarden. There is no cost to fill it out and all answers are anonymous.
Metro is working with community members to design and build the memorial at the southwest corner of Lone Fir Cemetery in an area labeled “Block 14” on cemetery maps. As early as the 1880s, this area was known as the Chinese section of the cemetery. Many of those burials were later disinterred and their bones were sent to their families in China, in keeping with cultural practices. Later, the area was built over; the building has since been demolished and now the land is once again part of Lone Fir Cemetery.
Read more about the site's history
Last week, Metro held two information sessions for the project, one of them at Lone Fir Cemetery where the memorial will be built. This survey is an opportunity for people who were not able to attend those events to learn about the current state of the project and to provide feedback on the updated designs.
“Hearing from as many people as possible now will help ensure that the future memorial is something community members will cherish and value for generations to come,” said Metro senior planner Karen Vitkay. “That’s why Metro continues to engage with community members each step of the way as we work toward a final design.”
Metro has already held multiple information sessions about this project with stakeholder groups, as well as with members of the Chinese American community. In fall 2023, the agency held online and in-person information sessions, as well as an online survey, to present two preliminary design options. The feedback Metro gathered from those engagement opportunities has been used to inform the updated design, as have logistical and budgetary considerations and additional research into the site’s history.
The current design proposal includes a circular altar for conducting ritual and making offerings, surrounded by a tall screen made up of small metal rectangles inscribed with the names of people who were buried at the site. The design also includes a pathway through a grove of trees; interpretive signage and storytelling; and seating for visitors to rest and reflect.
After this survey closes, Metro will use the feedback gathered to help further refine the memorial’s design. Metro expects to hold engagement opportunities this fall to present further refined designs as well as ideas for the memorial’s storytelling and permanent name.
The memorial is expected to be open to the public by the end of 2026. This work is made possible due to funding from the voter-approved 2019 parks and nature bond.
Sign up for email updates and learn more about the project on its web page