The effort began with Epworth's cemetery committee's creation of a long-term landscaping plan. Helen Waite, who owns Waite Garden Design in Lewes, offered her services to the group for free, designed the landscape and advised which plants to purchase.

The group ran into a few hurdles before reaching its goal. The church only owns the land on the inside of the brick wall. It approved the landscaping design for the inside, but could not fund landscaping planned for outside. The committee headed by Jon and Cindy Stolson went to city manager Greg Ferrese to see if the city would help pay for 10 trees along its property in front of the cemetery. Ferrese said the city could help with the plantings through the memorial tree program, but the program dissolved before Epworth could plant its trees. The Stolsons then appealed to their neighbors.

They went door to door and raised over $2500 for the project.

"With all the emphasis on cutting down trees," said Jon Stolson. "We're doing just the opposite--planting trees in accordance with the city's wishes and the community is playing an active role."

Rehoboth's Parks and Shade Tree Committee gave its permission to Epworth to plant the trees on the city's property in front of the cemetery.

In addition to donating funds to the project the community also donated time, supplies and skills. The Town of Henlopen Acres lent the use of its tractor and front loader, neighbors gave free use of their hoses and water and Epworth's youth group dug holes, weeded and planted shrubs. Although the project gives care-taker Roy Thomas more pruning and trimming to do, he made his contribution by not raising his maintenance fees.

The cemetery committee has future plans as well, which could include a crematory and meditation garden. It also plans to water-proof the wall to keep it from cracking.