Today, the Exposition Park Rose Garden is referred as one of L.A.’s hidden gems. Their efforts in ridding the garden failed, and in order to protect the garden from being destroyed, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Then the once Los Angeles Raiders planned to uproot the garden to create a practice field for the NFL team. The outcry from Angelenos and the media prevented this from happening. In 1986, there were efforts to dig up the garden in order to build an underground parking lot. Over the years, the garden has faced threats of removal. Come 1914, the city of Los Angeles announced plans to construct the garden, but it was not built until the late 1920s. It was also the spot for farmers to sell their wares. During that time, the rose garden area was used for horse, camel, and dog racing. This garden is totally worth a visit when the roses are in good bloom in late summer/early fall.The location of the Exposition Park Rose Garden was once part of the city’s Agricultural Park from 1871 to 1911. I am most impressed that the city keeps this garden in such good shape for locals and curious floral enthusiasts alike. All critiques aside, there is a magical quality about this sunken garden tucked into an otherwise unglamorous side of town. The impressive trees and other plantings along the edges add some visual impact, but the roses seem rather rigid confined to their color-coordinated squares. Some of the gazebos and sculptural elements feel added on and not so cohesive. It was fun to amble through the lanes, pulled about by all the competing colors all vying for our attention, and laughing at the amusing names listed on labels (Judy Garland, Pink Promise, Strike it Rich!).įinal Rating: For all of its many charms, impressive size, and transportive qualities, this garden is fairly simplistic in its basic grid layout. The roses almost seemed to be lit from within and glowed brightly against the gray skies and the green of their surroundings. Every passing wind wafts that intoxicating floral fragrance down the grassy pathways between flowerbeds. It was understandable that the main fountain was off during my visit because of the CA water shortage, but I’d imagine it would complete the scene.Ī semi-cloudy day with a slight breeze turned out to be the perfect setting to enjoy the garden to the fullest. The garden has been threatened several times by different development schemes, but public outcry helped champion the cause, and in 1991 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In its heyday, it was heralded as “the largest rose garden in the world,” and is said to include around 200 different varieties of flowers. The garden has a peaceful quality but it is pleasing to see that enough people seem to make use of the area, including a fair number of amorous young couples. An ornate brick wall borders the entire garden and a line of impressive trees block out the bus stop and noisy traffic beyond. This sizable sunken garden is nestled among several sports arenas, the Science Center, and the Natural History Museum. One of the first stops on my garden tour of the Los Angeles area was the Rose Garden at Exposition Park. Exposition Park Rose Garden is a public park featuring a historic 7-acre sunken rose garden with a large fountain and multiple gazebos in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California.Īddress: 701 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037Įmail: Exposition Park Rose Garden website
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