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Sinnissippi Rose Garden
This beautiful, free public rose garden has been a central point of the Rockford community for countless weddings, events, prom photos, engagements, and more since 1924.
100 Years of the Sinnissippi Rose Garden
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Sinnissippi Riverfront Park was purchased by the newly founded Rockford Park District, headed by Levin Faust and Robert Tinker.
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Sinnissippi Rose Garden was laid out and production greenhouses were built.
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Gazebos and tea houses were built.
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A drainage and soil amendment project was done through the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Soil was excavated, and rock was laid down and topped with straw and black soil.
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Rockford Park District board eliminated garden beds and greenhouse operations due to severe budget shortages.
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The gardens fell into disrepair.
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The Rockford Park District and Rockford Men’s Garden Club joined forces to restore the Sinnissippi Rose Garden.
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The Rockford Park District approved the rose garden restoration project, which included plans for a 30-ft. floral clock, the first major addition to the Sinnissippi Rose Garden since the 1920s. Plans also included raised beds and pathways for accessibility, additional trellises, a landing for Trolley Car 36, and a boat dock.
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More than 2,000 new rose bushes were added, many of which were donations from rose companies. All-America Rose Selections granted probationary accreditation.
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The All-America Rose Selections granted the Sinnissippi Rose Garden a Certificate of Award, which allowed the garden to display the newest award-winning roses before they were available on the market.
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The Men’s Garden Club set up an endowment for the Sinnissippi Rose Garden, and donated over $10,000.
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The Rose Garden received the All-America Rose Selections Award for Outstanding Maintenance.
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Rockford Park District horticultural staff, along with volunteers from the Rockford Area Gardeners of America and University of Illinois Extension Office Master Gardener program, planted over 1,000 new roses in 35 renovated rose beds under the guidance of Certified Consulting Rosarian volunteers Jean and Mary Ewaldz.
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Trellises at both ends of the garden are replaced with new low-maintenance materials.
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Donations
Support the ongoing beauty and tranquility of the 100-year-old Sinnissippi Rose Garden. Your donations help fund plantings and supplies that keep this historic public garden free and open to the public every day.