Exposition Park Rose Garden: A Floral Oasis in Los Angeles

The Exposition Park Rose Garden, a seven-acre sunken garden located within Exposition Park in Los Angeles, offers a tranquil retreat from the urban bustle. Designated a National Register of Historic Places site in 1991, the garden has been enchanting visitors since 1927. Originally, the site was part of the city's Agricultural Park, hosting horse, camel, and dog races, and even a long bar and brothel. In 1921, the California Association of Nurserymen transformed the space into a horticultural exposition, planting thousands of flowers and trees. The Rose Garden took its current form in 1926, designed by rosarians George C. Robinson and Fred H. Howard in collaboration with city landscape architects. The garden boasts over 20,000 rose bushes representing over 200 varieties, including hybrid tea roses, floribunda roses, and old garden roses. The All-America Rose Selection began donating its Rose of the Year to the garden in 1940. Four marble statues by Danish sculptor Thyra Boldsen, installed in 1936, grace the corners of the garden. These statues are titled "Nymph Finding Pipes of Pan," "The Blessing," "The Start," and "Terpsichore". The garden also features four gazebos and a central fountain. Visited by over a million people annually, the Rose Garden is a popular location for weddings, photography, and peaceful strolls. It is open to the public from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm daily. The garden is located near the University of Southern California, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and the California Science Center.