04/05/2026
PLEASE READ!!!!!!
Subject: Woodlawn Cemetery - Response to Post Article Dated 4-1-26 - Public Notice to Cease and Desist to Change Woodlawn Cemetery Into a Recreational Area
Mr. Marra:
I represent Sacred Woodlawn Cemetery Corp., a not for profit corporation just formed, whose purpose it to be guardians to the sacredness of Woodlawn Cemetery and to educate the community that it is sacred. The guardians are the true friends of the cemetery, unlike the very misleading named “Friends of Woodlawn” who want to make the cemetery into a playground for the rich.
When I saw your April 1st headline that there are wealthy individuals who want to turn Woodlawn Cemetery into a park, I thought it was an April Fools joke. But after receiving many calls from outraged residents, who quickly assimilated in blitzkrieg fashion, I realized it was no joke. See A nonprofit formed by wealthy donors wants to invest millions to reimagine West Palm Beach's Woodlawn as a “cemetery park.” Not everyone is a fan.
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/westpb/2026/04/01/west-palm-beach-woodlawn-cemetery-could-get-20-million-upgrade/89293542007/
So, please allow this statement to your readers as public notice that this callous plan to change the face of Woodlawn Cemetery by interlopers, who have no deep roots to our community, will be responded with a fury of opposition by the community who arrived here before them, and remain here, and whose family members lay rest at the cemetery. I ask you to publish the attached photograph to remind these wealthy individuals that the single purpose use of caring for the resting place of the pioneer family loved ones will not be compromised by either opportunistic developers or individuals who are emotionally detached from the community’s roots. Those who arrive here, seeking to taint the “status quo" which has attracted them, have no place here if they desire to erase the already existing sacred grounds of those who came before them.
In this photograph my great grandfather and great grandmother stand by my great great grandfather and great great grandfather’s resting place.
With the photograph, they documented the importance of remembering the prior generations who first struggled to make our community a paradise, without the luxuries of air conditioning and the like. The new wealthy new residents are welcome in our community, but do not move here with the intent to change its face and materially alter our sacred sites. No amount of money will win over the deep resolve of those still living to protect the resting places of their loved ones buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.
A lawsuit will be filed against every individual who participates in a plan to desecrate the grave site and mistreat the sacred burial grounds of Woodlawn Cemetery. It is a third degree felony under Section 872.02 Fla. Stat. (2026) to even cut, break, or injure any tree, shrub, or plant placed within the cemetery, except for maintenance and upkeep. Who is conspiring now to do so? Certainly NOT the mayor or city commissioners whose duty is to protect this sacred site.
The families who have plots at Woodlawn Cemetery expect the cemetery to be a quiet and peaceful resting place, not a place for garden parties to cocktail, nor yoga, nor recreate. This is not a recreation area. The primary purpose is that of a spiritual nature. Go to Currie Park if you want to play. Go back to Central Park in New York if you want to play.
At least six generations of Stambaughs will be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery and none of the gravesites will be disturbed without a court order. More families are organizing for the fight and just as my father, Reginald J. Stambaugh, MD, fought in the 90s to save the historic buildings of Palm Beach High School k/n/a Dreyfoos School of the Arts, by assimilating hundreds of PB High Graduates, who opposed the developers wanting to tear down the buildings, so too will the now quiet peaceful residents rise up to fight, yet another, intrusion on a sacred site.
And to speak for my mother, Carolyn Stroupe (age 93), who was Miss West Palm Beach and cut the ribbon for Channel 5, WPTV, is SHOCKED that there would be even a thought of repurposing the cemetery to a recreational use. Her mother rests there and so she will. Do not tread on us. Do not tread on the graves of our forefathers.
Respectfully Submitted, Reginald G. Stambaugh, Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Attorney.
