Cemetery Memorial Park

A Park With a Past

Perched at the intersection of Poli and Main Streets in Ventura, Cemetery Memorial Park isn't your typical green space. This 6-acre public park has a fascinating and somewhat controversial history - it was originally established as a burial ground back in the 1860s and functioned as Ventura's main cemetery until 1944.

In 1965, the city made the bold decision to transform the cemetery into a public park, removing the visible headstones and monuments. What many casual visitors don't realize is that an estimated 3,000 bodies still rest beneath the grass where people now picnic and play. This transformation has sparked ongoing conversations within the community about remembrance and public space.

What You'll Find

The park offers impressive views. From here, you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, and Ventura's foothills. On particularly clear days, you can even spot Arch Rock on Anacapa Island - a formation you can't see from the beach because of the Earth's curvature.

Gently sloping grassy lawns stretch across the landscape, with mature trees providing welcome shade primarily along the north and east edges. Thanks to the park's elevated position, it's an incredible spot to catch spectacular sunsets, especially from late summer through early spring.

In 2012, the park received some thoughtful additions: new entrance signs, a Veterans Memorial, and interpretive panels along the north perimeter sidewalk that share the site's history and honor those still buried there. Keep an eye out for several remaining headstones from the late 1800s and early 1900s scattered within the grounds - quiet reminders of the park's original purpose.

Things to Do

Despite its solemn backstory, Cemetery Memorial Park has evolved into a popular community space. The vast, open lawns provide plenty of room for yoga, frisbee, casual ball games, and laid-back picnics.

The park has organically become a popular dog-friendly spot where locals bring their pets to socialize and run around. While technically dogs should be leashed, you'll often see four-legged friends enjoying off-leash freedom across the expansive grounds.

If you're planning to stay a while, bring a blanket for picnicking since benches are limited and there aren't any formal picnic tables. Note that the park doesn't offer playground equipment or restroom facilities, so plan accordingly.

Far From Just a Park

Cemetery Memorial Park exists in an interesting space between recreation area and historical site. While many come for leisure activities, others visit to pay respects to Ventura's early pioneers and veterans who remain buried beneath the grass.

The park's peaceful atmosphere and views provide a setting for quiet contemplation, relaxation, or connecting with others. The combination of natural beauty and historical significance adds an unusual dimension to this city park.

There's something thought-provoking about Cemetery Memorial Park's dual identity - it invites you to enjoy the present moment while also reflecting on the area's past and the people who helped shape Ventura into what it is today.