Decatur city officials have paused a sidewalk construction project at Legacy Park after an unmarked burial site was discovered. Crews found remains believed to belong to 33 individuals, mostly infants and children, on land formerly occupied by a 19th-century orphanage, as FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
Following the discovery, construction was stopped and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was used to map the burial area. According to Decatur Assistant City Manager Cara Scharer, the GPR survey confirmed 33 burials—22 children, eight infants, possibly one adult, and two cremations, Atlanta News First adds.
The land was once home to the United Methodist Children’s Home. Decatur City Manager Andrea Arnold said the city is working with state officials and Wellroot (formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home) to learn more about those buried at the site.
The city now plans to change the sidewalk design to avoid the burial area and is developing a memorial to recognize those interred.
