Should I remove these raised beds?

I bought this property a year a go and it came with these raised beds. We planted in them last year with some success, but i would like to remove them so I can plant some cover crops during the off season and build the soil up. I’d also like to build a more natural looking garden with a pond, however I don’t want to waste what’s already here.

Am I crazy for wanting to remove them? Should I just be grateful for these and find ways to use my advantage?

Unfortunately, the answer is up to you.   If they significantly interfere with your plans, then move them.  From my direction, I would keep them if at all possible.  

What about them keeps you from planting a cover crop?
My main objection would be the paint and whatever substances might be coming from it.

If they are made of untreated lumber, time will make the decision for you. It looks like some in the center are already starting to break down.

It also depends on whether the sun exposure is still adequate (as the surrounding trees grow taller). And, do you get enough rainfall to water the raised beds, or do they create extra work? What is the native soil like -- or is there any at all?

If it were me, I would keep the good ones and start experimenting where the old ones are falling apart.

Alternatively, if you advertise the frames you can probably get a few dollars and someone else's labour to remove them. You might need to move the soil to the best growing areas, so there is work involved in that.

Wow thank you for the quick replies. They are in the best possible spot for sun exposure. The soil conditions is really hard and rocky clay that is very difficult to dig into. The previous owners seemed like they knew what they were doing. They had cold frames for each bed. I removed the plastic and the framing because it was degrading. I’m in north Georgia so we do get a lot of rain.

The property next to me used to be a landfill 40 years ago so maybe I should just stick to the raised beds.

I am with John, that is your decision.

The beds look like they are already deteriorating, falling down, and have had repairs already.  There may not be much life left in those beds.

I like raised beds.  Some folks do and some folks don't.

Your spot looks like a great place to have a forest garden with row crops in the sunny spot.

I hope you will let us know what you decide to do.

Ultimately the decision is up to you, but chiming in with what I'd likely do.  

The beds sound like they're in an ideal location and produced for you last year, so I'd probably plant in them this year as I'm assuming you're gardening season has already started or is very near.  You can observe the individual bed frames during the season and determine which, if any, are worth keeping.  If you do decide to keep the frames, you can indeed plant cover crops in each.  

If you decide to eventually do away with the beds, you will at least have a harvest this year.  You'll need to determine whether to remove the bed soil or smooth it out over the area where you'll be planting cover crops.  You could even do a 50/50 by removing half of the beds and sowing a cover crop on the area without beds this year.  

Both of my current raised bed garden areas are located where a driveway previously was and the raised beds have been a lifesaver.  I did "temporarily" plant a few small clumps of rhubarb in one of those beds the first year and when I removed it last year it was truly a feat as those roots had grown down through the gravel and into the clay below, but boy did they flourish!

I also would plant in the beds this year. Keep track of how wet the paths get during the wettest time period. Part of my garden stays sopping wet untill mid June. My transplants would drown, then any survivors needed too much watering in my seasonal drying period.

My solution... I dug out the paths.