McKinley Rose GardenPark HistoryMcKinley Park, as we know it today, was opened in 1871 as the privately owned East Park, a name given to it for its location in the undeveloped area, just east of city limits. As a ploy to increase street-car traffic to
the area, the Sacramento Trolley System purchased and developed the 30 acre park. At that time, it was the only large recreation area within Sacramento. It included picnic grounds, a baseball field, shooting gallery and zoo. In 1902 the "Tuesday Club", a social organization of influential women, convinced the city to purchase East Park for the sum of $12,500. It was then renamed in honor of President William McKinley who was assassinated in 1901.The Original DesignerFrederick N. Evans, a landscape architect, was the city's first parks superintendent. In 1929, Evans began work on improvements to the garden with a drive to "make the garden a showplace of the city park system." The rose garden replaced a running track in this location, the oval shape of the rose garden reflects the original
shape of the track. Evans experimented with the varieties of roses that were planted there until he had a mix that would prosper in the hot Sacramento summers. It was his intention to have the garden created as an educational garden where Sacramentans interested in
flowers and plants may come and study their culture. On Dec. 13, 1946, the garden was named after Evans who was also an original member of the Sacramento Rose Society, founded in 1940.Garden HistoryIn 2012 the nonprofit Friends of East Sacramento completed the restoration of the garden with private donations. They now lease the garden, manage event rentals and privately fund the maintenance. Volunteers provide rose care through the McKinley Park Volunteer Corps. The Sacramento Rose Society also provides horticultural and financial support. The McKinley Rose Garden sprawls over 1.5 acres, and is the largest of Sacramento's rose gardens with more than 1,200 roses and eight companion perennial beds. McKinley Rose Garden is a popular site for visitors, weddings
and memorial services. Visit McKinleyParkCenter.org for rental information, volunteer opportunities, to make a tax-deductable donation or to Adopt-A-Garden which includes a commemorative marker to honor or remember a loved one.
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