Friends of Peninsula Park Rose Garden

Friends of Peninsula Park Rose Garden is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a vision to preserve, protect, and enhance this world-class public garden of great beauty and rich historical legacy. Formed in 2012 by 3 Master Gardeners, the Friends found a Garden with knee-high weeds and 25 year-old rose bus es showing their ageIn anticipation of the Garden’s 100th anniversary in 2013, the Friends and Portland Parks and Recreation (“PP&R”) decided the garden floor should be replanted with more than 3,000 new disease-resistant roses. National rose growers donated the roses. PPR staffers removed the old roses, designed the garden layout and dug planting holes. The Friends recruited more than 200 community volunteers to prepare and plant the roses – and the Garden was transformed.

The Friends now have over 100 volunteers who donate their time to caring for the Garden throughout the year. Year in and year out the Friends look for ways to celebrate and preserve the Garden. , Starting with the celebration of the Garden’s 100th anniversary in 2013, the Friends have hosted events that have attracted thousands of visitors, including Art in the Rose Garden, ice cream socials, birthday parties for the Garden, free rose care classes, a winter speakers series and even a Silent Disco party

Since 2020, in partnership with the Public History Department at Portland State University and numerous neighbors and community groups, the Friends have produced a series of signs placed throughout the Park that inform visitors about the rich and diverse history of the Park, including the connection to the Olmsted firm and role of Emanuel Mische in designing the Park.