Originally written by by Dr. Jim Hering for the American Rose Society Annual, November/December 2019. Download PDF
In the mid-1940s, as the country recovered from WWII, the Columbus Rose Club envisioned a municipal rose garden in Columbus, Ohio. Initial proposals to City Hall were dismissed, but the dream persisted. A new organization, the Central Ohio Rose Society, revived the idea. They formed a joint committee, presented the concept to Mayor James A. Rhodes, and outlined the benefits: aesthetics, undeveloped city land, appeal to conventions, and increased tourism revenue.
City Council eventually approved $205,000 for the project. Whetstone Park in Clintonville was selected, and the “Park of Roses” was established. The 13-acre site had ideal natural boundaries and drainage. Originally a horse farm and WWII victory garden site, the land had been acquired by the city in 1944.
In 1952, the American Rose Society (ARS), then based in Harrisburg, PA, was looking for a new home. Columbus offered a headquarters building lease for $1/year, land for test gardens, and community support. On April 20, 1952, ARS voted to relocate to Columbus.
Planning began immediately. Formal Italianate design was chosen, with geometric layouts, wide hard-surfaced walkways, and architectural features like fountains, gazebos, and observation towers. The soil was extensively prepared with peat moss and fertilizer. Irrigation systems with 56 tons of galvanized pipe were installed.
Initial planting included 22,000 rose bushes. Today, the park boasts over 11,000 roses, including modern hybrids, heritage roses, and themed gardens (herbs, perennials, backyard concepts). There’s also an arboretum with over 138 tree/shrub varieties.
The Park officially opened June 6, 1953, and was dedicated during the ARS National Convention that September. ARS headquarters moved to Columbus that December, remaining until 1974. Despite attempts to stay, ARS eventually accepted a better offer from Shreveport, LA.
To preserve the park’s legacy, the Columbus Park of Roses Foundation was formed in the 1970s to maintain and enhance the garden. Structures like the historic Fort Hayes gazebo were relocated to the park, which now hosts weddings, concerts, and horticultural events.
In 1985, the Heritage Garden was added to showcase Old Garden Roses and their impact on rose evolution.
Today, the Park is managed by Columbus Recreation and Parks, supported by volunteers and The Columbus Park of Roses Foundation. It remains one of the largest municipal rose gardens in the U.S. and a major tourist draw in Columbus.
