By Jim Busch
For the Mon Valley Independent
Most community gardens were created to provide their caretakers with fresh vegetables, but the oldest public garden in the Mon Valley is dedicated to the proposition that “man does not live by tomatoes alone.”
McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park’s rose garden is a feast for the eyes, the nose and the soul.
The rose garden is maintained by the Garden Club of McKeesport. The club, formed in 1933, was given a 6-acre section of Renziehausen Park by the City of McKeesport in 1938.
The club used this grant to build a clubhouse and establish an arboretum and rose garden. The 3-acre rosarium is the second largest rose garden in Pennsylvania, surpassed only by the legendary Hershey Gardens. Many garden writers rank the Renziehausen Park plot as among the top five public rose gardens in the United States.
The garden is comprised of 28 meticulously maintained beds enclosed by a wrought iron fence. The area is scented by 1,800 roses of every color and hue. In addition to roses, the garden features an herb garden, a butterfly garden and a 400-foot perennial border.
A large gazebo in the middle of the garden is the perfect spot to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings. This spot is popular for wedding photos and can be rented for a romantic outdoor wedding.
The garden is located at 1400 Pinoak Drive in Renziehausen Park. Admission to the Renziehausen rose garden is free to the public and visitors may contact the Garden Club for guided tours.