Rose Garden

Childhood Memories at Exposition Park Rose Garden

The Exposition Park Rose Garden is not just a typical park. It is a small landmark with different educational venues surrounding it. A stroll through the garden will definitely awaken the senses of the visitor. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, my sister and I enjoyed walking to the nearby sights. We would walk to University of Southern California or the local museums, but our favorite walking trip was to the Exposition Park Rose Garden. We have very fond memories of this precious place. I had been visiting the garden ever since I could remember, and before May of 2012 my last visit was when I was seventeen years old. I am forty-one years old now. I will begin by giving a brief history of the garden.

The Exposition Park Rose Garden is part of the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks, and it has been since 1928. The Exposition Park Rose Garden is a historic seven acre garden located in Exposition Park between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Avenue on Exposition Boulevard. The park is located in the vicinity of the Los Angeles Sports Arena and the Coliseum. The garden was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991(2). In 1914, the city announced plans to construct a wild flower garden at Exposition Park. The rose garden was built until 1927. There were 15,000 bushes planted of 100 varieties of roses (3). During the Great Depression, It was considered the biggest rose garden in the world.

The garden appears to be at its best from April through November. This is when the roses are in full bloom (1). This is the perfect time for visitors who enjoy the smell of roses in the air to visit. If you want to avoid the dozens of visitors per hour you need to go as soon as the gates open, at 9:00am. This will allow you time to admire the vast variety and species of roses available for your delight. The garden is a special place where I can take a long stroll or sit to enjoy a good book. There are spaces available for a picnic or just a park table to sit in. One of the best sights in the garden is the majestic water fountain located at the center of the garden. I was able to see people waiting to get the best picture in front of this fountain. I saw children throwing coins and attempting to touch the water with the tips of their fingers. I observed students taking pictures and writing in their notebooks.
I was able to experience an artist drawing roses in their sketch pad. I definitely not miss the numerous couples strolling by as they hold hands. The best part of all is the view of all the beautiful flowers surrounding me all at once. The aroma in the air is sweet and delicate. I enjoy using my senses , I wanted to walk barefoot to feel the thick, crisp, cushion of the green grass beneath my feet. I definitely was able to listen to visitors speaking different languages around me. I was able to enjoy numerous snacks that are for sale by the local vendors. Most of these snacks are sold by street vendors who take advantage of the high numbers of tourist and local visitors. If you visit the garden during the weekend you will not miss the crowds that gather around the wedding and quinceanera parties. This has been a popular venue to photograph the newly wedded couples as it has been for young ladies to capture their youth in a memorable picture surrounded by roses. This, in fact, was the reason I revisited the garden.

My niece was turning fifteen, and my sister was searching for alternative venues to hold her religious service. We had seen weddings being held at the garden gazebos all of the years we visited. My sister decided to rent the space and hold a mass at the garden. The gazebos as well as sections of the garden are available to be rented. The prices vary depending on the size of the party. The earliest starting time for a service is 9:00am and the latest is 2:00pm. One inconvenience to this is that the garden will remain open to the public (3). It had been many years since we both had returned to our favorite spot we were delighted to see that not much had changed throughout the years. Many changes had occurred in the surrounding area, but not inside the garden. We were able to view the structural construction and all the modern buildings and apartments around the area. The California Science Center just steps away as was the Museum of Natural History (1). Everything surrounding the garden is newer and bigger, but there is something nostalgic about the garden that makes it better for it to remain the same. The garden is what people call “classic”.

Some of the downsides to our visit was the parking areas. The park offers parking structures at a costly price of $8.00 dollars per vehicle. You may be able to find parking in the neighborhood or there is also metered parking available in the street for about $1.00 an hour (1). The entrance to the garden is free so if you don’t mind the parking fees, then you will be able to enjoy your visit to the fullest. Many people in Southern California are not aware of this small and magical space in the middle of a very congested and rough area of Los Angeles. When visiting the garden tourist need to be aware that there are different populations that live in the surrounding area. You may encounter numerous indigents surrounding certain areas of the park. The park is surrounded by extremely busy and high traffic streets. The smell of exhaust fumes by the passing city buses may not be pleasant. Outside the garden the noise appears to increase specially if you guide yourself towards Exposition Boulevard.

Regardless of any inconvenience you may encounter, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting the hidden treasure of South Central Los Angeles. It will be a delightful experience for someone who enjoys the simple things in life. I will cherish the memories of my niece’s ceremony and the colorful pictures with the bountiful amount of roses. This place will continue to be my favorite place to visit.

 

 

 

 

References

Rose Garden (N.D) Retrieved from http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/AboutUs/EXP/RoseGarden

California Science Center/Rose Garden (N.D) Retrieved from http://freethingstodoinlosangeles.com/Things_to_do_Los_Angeles_California

History, Picture Permits, Filming, Wedding/ Special Events (N.D) retrieved from http://www.laparks.org/exporesegarden/