Perimeter fencing is used to provide security and access control for the municipal cemeteries. In 2002, approximately 400’ of chain-link fencing around the perimeter of Laurel Grove South Cemetery were replaced with permanent fencing consisting of masonry base and columns spanned by wrought iron picket panels. Two high-profile segments of old fencing, each about 200’, were replaced with the improved fencing. One of the segments was at the main entrance to Laurel Grove South Cemetery at West 37th Street and Kollock Street which was deserving of beautification but had limited open space to work with. The existing entrance columns and double gates of wrought iron which had been presented by the Savannah Sugar Refinery in 1958 were incorporated into the new fence. The second segment was at the rear entrance to Laurel grove South Cemetery near the intersection of Ogeechee Road and Kollock Street which was unsightly and did not have iron gates. The 400’ of new fence represented approximately 5% of the nearly 8,000’ of existing fencing around the perimeter of Laurel Grove North and South Cemeteries.

The fence was designed in-house and built under contract. The existing chain-link fencing between the two new segments were repaired and painted black. More than 500’ of black-vinyl 8’ commercial-grade chain-link fencing was also installed across the front of several vacant properties between the cemetery and the Springfield Canal which were purchased by the City for flood mitigation. The old and new fences were tied together to properly secure the perimeter.

Future plans are being developed to install an additional 3 segments of masonry and wrought iron fencing totaling 350 linear feet and installing more than 1,000’ of black-vinyl commercial chain-link fencing to replace existing dilapidated fencing along Ogeechee Road.