Sacramento’s Rose Gardens – McKinley Park Rose Garden

(Last UPDATED 10/25/2021) Description and review of the Frederick N. Evans Memorial Rose Garden (aka McKinley Park Rose Garden).  The rose garden is situated along H Street in East Sacramento.

First of all, in case you were wondering, Evans was the city’s first parks superintendent and the original designer of the garden.

McKinley Park Rose Garden is truly beautiful.  It is always a pleasure to stroll along the grassy paths to admire the roses and other plantings.  Benches are situated in strategic locations so one can sit to admire the blooms and enjoy the tranquility of the garden. Metal decorative arches throughout both frame the view and support the climbing roses.

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It is not unusual to see the rose garden when it is in bloom being used as a backdrop for photo taking – both professional and amateur. Around prom time you can spot limos parked nearby and young couples in their finery having their pictures taken prior to the dance.  The rose garden is also a popular wedding venue.

McKinley Park Rose Garden is the largest of Sacramento’s rose gardens with approximately 1,200 rose bushes.  This distinction is the result of the efforts of the nonprofit Friends of East Sacramento who raised the funds needed to replace the roses that had died over the years as a result of pests or neglect.

See related blog post:  McKinley Park Renovation Complete

Friends of East Sacramento

Since 2012 the rose garden has been managed by the Friends of East Sacramento pursuant to an agreement with the City of Sacramento.

Friends of East Sacramento uses donations and revenues generated by rental events in the garden (such as weddings and memorial services) to maintain the garden.

During the growing season (April-November) volunteers deadhead roses, fertilize and weed the garden to keep it looking its best.  In early January a large group of volunteers works to complete the very important winter pruning in one day.  The number of volunteers dictates how long it takes to complete the task.

All of Sacramento owes the Friends of East Sacramento and the numerous volunteers who tend to the garden a big “thank you” for making the McKinley Park Rose Garden the treasure it is today.

To sum up, if you haven’t had the opportunity to take in the McKinley Park Rose Garden, now is a good time as the roses are just now starting to bloom!

See related posts:  Sacramento’s Rose Gardens – Sacramento Historic Rose Garden and Sacramento’s Rose Gardens – State Capitol Park World Peace Rose Garden

Butterfly Habitat Garden (Added 10/18/2018)

A new attraction has been added to the McKinley Park Rose Garden – an innovative Butterfly Habit Garden created by Sacrament artist Daniel Tran of Growetry.  Tran is an artist trained as an architect and horticulturalist who utilizes re-purposed irrigation tubing to create his art.  He designed and constructed a fanciful sculpture in the McKinley Park Rose Garden and added butterfly-friendly plants.

Check out the new Butterfly Habitat Garden next time you visit McKinley Park and the McKinley Park Rose Garden!

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