Cemetery Memorial Park

Cemetery Memorial Park is a 6-acre public park located in Ventura, California at the intersection of Poli and Main Streets. The park has a unique and complex history, as it was originally established as a burial ground in the 1860s and served as Ventura's main cemetery until 1944.

In 1965, the City of Ventura converted the cemetery into a public park by removing the visible headstones and monuments. However, an estimated 3,000 bodies remain interred beneath the park's grounds. This controversial decision has been a source of ongoing debate in the community.

The park offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the foothills of Ventura. It features grassy lawns shaded by mature trees, providing a peaceful setting for visitors. In 2012, new entrance signs, a Veterans Memorial, and interpretive signs were installed to inform visitors about the park's history and honor those still buried there.

Cemetery Memorial Park serves as both a recreational space and a site of historical significance. While some use it for leisure activities, others visit to pay respects to Ventura's early pioneers and reflect on the area's past. The park's dual nature as both a green space and a burial ground makes it a unique and thought-provoking destination in Ventura.