My grandparents and aunts and uncles are buried in that cemetery, and a very large and beautiful rose bush grew and flowered over the family plot. I hope it is still there; I watered it in the summer when I visited, but I have been unable to travel there since the COVID pandemic began. Please do not remove any more plants. The beauty of all the shrubs and trees made Old City Cemetery unique. Nedra Crowe Evers, 5th generation Sacramentan.
My great grandma lies here and we have been visiting every year. A large part of our heritige is in that cemetery. Every year we gather to honor our lost loved ones. Taking away the garden and park like setting is an abomination to the intent of that cemetery. The historic city cemetery is a local gem and is nationally recognized. It's one of the few places we can go visit right now safely due to covid and placing granite and turf would completely ruin the entire experience of being able to honor our loved ones. Please reconsider the nature of this plan and the impact it has on the local residents who have 4+ generations here.
My family has had a plot in the Rose Garden Since the mid 1800’. My mother Marilyn Fuqua volunteered proudly for years, dedicated to the rich history of Sacramento, it’s pioneers buried there & was often vocal with our family regarding the ridiculous politics & egos that clashed over it’s preservation.
The many volunteers that contributed to the restoration of this cemetery and the rose garden are committed to its preservation & I strongly oppose the attempt to return the cemetery to a stark wasteland as it appears now. Color, arbors, roses are absent. Those who want to return it to a stark wasteland ?
Do any of you have loved ones buried there? Well I do. My mom is resting there, in the rose garden and I guarantee she is opposed to the plan to turn the oasis into a desert.
I am just sick thinking about the destruction that has happened already and is planned in the amazing city cemetery. I understand preserving monuments,etc but destroying the many plants is a horrid mistake. I am a lifelong sacramentan and have taken my teen daughters to the cemetery many times over the years, enjoying history walks. I was telling my girls in the spring that when i retired i wanted to volunteer to maintain the roses and other plants, but sounds like that wont be needed, instead youre going to pay city workers to rip plants out in favor of historically accurate barren plots. By focusing only on the historic structures and not the 100+ year old roses,etc, you are going to create a space that no one wants to visit, and subsequently learn from. Certainly not somewhere i would support financially or as a volunteer..
The City Cemetery’s rose garden is one of the best gems of Sacramento, bringing comfort to so many people who visit the spot regularly, and also to those visiting Sacramento - yes, it is a point of interest for this city and people who visit want to see it. While I understand that it was not part of the original landscaping design, it has evolved and grown into something far better than the original vision. Please don’t destroy something that gives so many people hope, especially in these trying times.
I am writing in favor of preserving the existing gardens at the old city cemetery. These gardens, while not recreating the landscaping that was original to the site, have brought value and a unique character to the cemetery and have become a cherished landmark in their own right. I have lived in the central city since 1986 and have been active in many preservation discussions dating back to the effort to save the Merrium Apartments. I absolutely understand the need to preserve and protect the monuments, and endorse a program of pruning and maintenance to ensure that the gardens do not endanger fragile stones. However, I must point out that the gardens have imbued the cemetery with unique and special properties that make it one of the most beloved historic public spaces in Sacramento. They have 'activated' the space and engage visitors in a way that a 'restored' and period-correct site could not. I hope you will preserve the character and unique value of this space.
Please find a way to preserve the history and beauty of the plants and roses in the historic cemetery. I have visited this cemetery as a child on a field trip, and taken tours as an adult, and it is a historic resource. Keeping it beautiful honors its history. Covering it with turf and decomposed granite does not honor the cemetery's history or keep it inviting and special for visitors to learn from and appreciate.
The roses gardens/plants are why it is so special. Replacing them with turf, DG, and mulch will create a desolate landscape, unappealing and disinteresting to passerby, and discourage visitors. This is where residents/families go for a peaceful outing while learning about the City's history/historical figures/stories. If this plan passes, tours will have fewer attendees. It will be a sad, desolate cemetery like most others. Fewer visitors means less donations and business to the area. The gardens let volunteers/visitors connect with the City. It's been tended to with love for decades.The gardens bring positive national/international attention to the City. Native plants support an ecosystem of pollinators and wildlife. Hidden markers should be respected but plants can still coexist and beautify the space. Approving this plan would take away a special spot for so many current and future Sacramentans and destroy the beauty of the current residents' resting place. It would be crushing.
Good evening, I hope everyone is well. I have family buried in the City Cemetery and I understand its historical importance. I read the report and I I can see that the structures etc. need to be safe from water and root damage but couldn't there be a compromise? Perhaps the roses could be moved to a more suitable location within the cemetery. Also, perhaps the volunteers could be instructed on how to care for the structures so they could make planting decisions with better knowledge. In the report there was a section about the volunteers contacting the City historical person before planting. That could be a compromise. If both sides work together, our Cemetery could be historically accurate AND a place that has a world famous rose garden. Let's make it a win-win situation. Thank you.
It seems that most involved are relative newcomers to the cemetery. The comment it was neglected into the 80’s and 90’s demonstrated staff did not have a concept of the past-this neglect ENDED in the 1980’s. Beautification is a requirement to draw most people into the cemetery, but unfortunately this has been compromised the past several years. When our Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the gardens, plants and trellises, many of which have been removed, were present, I recall there was an initial promise that this process would be transparent. Our City Cemetery is unique and dissimilar from many others, so I do not think guidelines from others may be applicable. In all my years (30+) of involvement, desecration related to volunteers was not identified as a concern. Volunteers did not plant trees. In fact trees were prohibited in our guidelines. Instead of accusations, volunteers should be commended for their respectful efforts to improve the cemetery.
One of my favorite rose gardens the famous Heritage Rose Garden in Dunedin, New Zealand. The pioneer cemetery is planted with Heritage Roses in tribute to the early immigrants who came to New Zealand bringing their favorite roses with them.
In Sacramento pioneers brought roses with them and after 1850 many roses were imported from Europe through the port of San Francisco.
The great Historic Roses cemetery in Sacramento honored that history and is allowed under Federal Guidelines for rehabilitation of historic sites. I am sorry to see the City of Sacramento's harsh response to its presence. The rose garden educated people about California's horticultural history and was visited by people from around the world.
John Blocker
Coronado, California
Founder of a Historic Rose Garden is Old Town State Park in San Diego
Horticultural History Writer for California Garden Magazine
Visitor of Rose Gardens Around the World
We lovers of heritage roses have toured worldwide to appreciate historic gardens. Nine times we drove to Sacramento from San Diego drawn specifically to see the Historic Rose Garden. We are members of five heritage rose groups - local, national, international - and three historic landscape and garden groups. Members revered the Sacramento garden -- we had to see for ourselves. The historic rose garden - akin to garden cemeteries we toured on the east coast, south and Texas - met every expectation and wish, a jewel of a garden and a gem of knowledgeable, respectful volunteers caring for it. You could feel proud.
Currently, the grounds look desolate and deprived of the beauty which enhanced its cemetery art. Conditions in the garden today deplete its historic and aesthetic value.
Please return the "Historic Rose Garden" sign to the garden's entrance; permit the roses to flourish, enriching the funerary art; and support the corps of dedicated volunteers. Thea Gurns Coronado, CA
It is heartbreaking to see the results of your so-called "Preservation Plan." You are destroying, not preserving an historic location that brought countless people to the cemetery to admire the roses in combination with the monuments and gravestones. By continuing with your foolhardy plans, you will turn the cemetery into what it was before the wonderful volunteers brought grace and beauty AND historic California pioneer roses and companion plants which in no way were detrimental to the graves. Many people came to Sacramento, spent money, and sang the praises of the cemetery. I for one have no reason to return now that the garden has been ruined and is on its way to becoming an ecological disaster with the misguided pruning techniques that are currently being used. Please bring back your volunteers who knew how to lovingly care for the plants AND the gravestones.
As the owner of the property next to Odd Fellows cemetery, I appreciate the positive impact volunteers of the rose garden at the Old City Cemetery have made on our neighborhood and community. They have helped to make it a point of pride and destination. They have collaborated with other historic rose gardens across the nation creating a beautiful and historically accurate version of what a Victorian cemetery rose garden looked like, and have followed the original intent of it's creators. Referencing cemetery photos and plans from a post war point of view, where sterilization and "minimization" of the landscape was little more than expansive lawn, is not in keeping with it's historic intent, and does not reflect biodiverse practices of the present or future. I do not understand why the city has chosen to implement practices that are detrimental to the revival of this landscape, instead of working more closely with it's volunteers who made it the point of pride that it is today.
I was shocked to learn of the plan to destroy Saramento's Historic Rose Garden, much like Melania destroyed the nation's. The rose garden is venerated both inside and outside of the Sacramento city limits. It is a place of beauty, joy and solace, providing unique and special roses for all visitors to enjoy,
Once destroyed it cannot be brought back, so please tread lightly.
I understand that the current management does not find the roses "historic' enough. What is decades of people volunteering to bring beauty and uniqueness to this city, if not history? Sacramento always seeks to be considered a world class city and here we have a outstanding garden that is famous around the world and there is a plan to replace it with some "historic" turf and decomposed granite?
I am a Sacramento taxpayer.
Reading the proposed plans to remove a substantial part of the garden over the next few years to replace what has been a source of joy for countless Sacramentans with turf and DG is heartbreaking. As a citizen who believes strongly in historic preservation and understands the intention of this proposed plan I feel that its application in this circumstance is myopic. The community has made substantial contributions to this site which have secured it a place in the hearts and minds of many Sacramentans as a destination for both history and beauty. What's more the garden represents countless hours of time and care on behalf of its volunteer gardeners representing the degree of pride and civic ownership the community feels about this space. It would be my hope that the commission would be able to find an accommodation that enables both the garden to remain and the signage to be improved without establishing an either or scenario.
This garden brings people into this historical cemetery and does NOT take away from the historically accurate details of this place. It creates enough interest for the community to get involved and take care of this place. The roses that are growing here are native and antique- so much so that we’ve become known for them. The community loves these beautiful gardens and this cemetery will look absolutely drab and dull without them. I personally come here for picnics in the spring and I can’t imagine doing that if it’s all rocks and mulch. I don’t know what the purpose is of this proposal? What do you gain? A garden only adds to the experience of people touring the gardens and many historic cemeteries did have them. Please take pride in something that our city’s residents have poured their hearts and time into and that people come here to admire. Look at all of these comments! Please make a decision that reflects our community’s feelings on this matter.
The staff report falsely states that the Historic Rose Garden and its irrigation system were installed without authority and documentation. It states that the irrigation system, operated without overheard spray with automated timers, does damage to the plot surrounds, which are built without bottoms, on sandy soil, so there is not water pressure. The report fails to acknowledge the 2019 Planting Guidelines which were approved by the TAC. The photos show barren plots with harshly pruned roses. Volunteers know how to keep plot surounds and monuments clear, while maintaining beautiful plants. There is no evidence of damage from the plants and mulch, or even from the concrete on the trellis that staff installed. The solution is to push the reset button, revise the Preservation Assessment to recognize the rose garden as part of the fabric of the historic landscape, allow the rose volunteer team to reform, and work together to beautifully combine horticulture and history.
Over the past 20 years, I have tended the property next to Oddfellows Cemetery. As such, I've been a steady visitor to the Old City Cemetery and it's historic rose gardens, and never have I seen it looking as poorly maintained as it does now. I was there this past week, and overgrown weeds are creeping under the very hardscapes and gravestones this document seems to be concerned about. Old heritage roses are pushing suckers because they have been poorly maintained. On the HOTTEST day this year, the city had people pruning ornamental trees and roses meant to be done in winter months. The volunteers had much respect for the sites, history, and the landscape, it is shameful that the city hasn't done a better job to work with these stewards who helped make this place a landmark destination. They worked carefully, by hand, to find a balance between the historic rose species, the gravestones, and environmental stewardship. All things which Sacramento should be interested in preserving.
My grandparents and aunts and uncles are buried in that cemetery, and a very large and beautiful rose bush grew and flowered over the family plot. I hope it is still there; I watered it in the summer when I visited, but I have been unable to travel there since the COVID pandemic began. Please do not remove any more plants. The beauty of all the shrubs and trees made Old City Cemetery unique. Nedra Crowe Evers, 5th generation Sacramentan.
My great grandma lies here and we have been visiting every year. A large part of our heritige is in that cemetery. Every year we gather to honor our lost loved ones. Taking away the garden and park like setting is an abomination to the intent of that cemetery. The historic city cemetery is a local gem and is nationally recognized. It's one of the few places we can go visit right now safely due to covid and placing granite and turf would completely ruin the entire experience of being able to honor our loved ones. Please reconsider the nature of this plan and the impact it has on the local residents who have 4+ generations here.
My family has had a plot in the Rose Garden Since the mid 1800’. My mother Marilyn Fuqua volunteered proudly for years, dedicated to the rich history of Sacramento, it’s pioneers buried there & was often vocal with our family regarding the ridiculous politics & egos that clashed over it’s preservation.
The many volunteers that contributed to the restoration of this cemetery and the rose garden are committed to its preservation & I strongly oppose the attempt to return the cemetery to a stark wasteland as it appears now. Color, arbors, roses are absent. Those who want to return it to a stark wasteland ?
Do any of you have loved ones buried there? Well I do. My mom is resting there, in the rose garden and I guarantee she is opposed to the plan to turn the oasis into a desert.
I am just sick thinking about the destruction that has happened already and is planned in the amazing city cemetery. I understand preserving monuments,etc but destroying the many plants is a horrid mistake. I am a lifelong sacramentan and have taken my teen daughters to the cemetery many times over the years, enjoying history walks. I was telling my girls in the spring that when i retired i wanted to volunteer to maintain the roses and other plants, but sounds like that wont be needed, instead youre going to pay city workers to rip plants out in favor of historically accurate barren plots. By focusing only on the historic structures and not the 100+ year old roses,etc, you are going to create a space that no one wants to visit, and subsequently learn from. Certainly not somewhere i would support financially or as a volunteer..
The City Cemetery’s rose garden is one of the best gems of Sacramento, bringing comfort to so many people who visit the spot regularly, and also to those visiting Sacramento - yes, it is a point of interest for this city and people who visit want to see it. While I understand that it was not part of the original landscaping design, it has evolved and grown into something far better than the original vision. Please don’t destroy something that gives so many people hope, especially in these trying times.
I am writing in favor of preserving the existing gardens at the old city cemetery. These gardens, while not recreating the landscaping that was original to the site, have brought value and a unique character to the cemetery and have become a cherished landmark in their own right. I have lived in the central city since 1986 and have been active in many preservation discussions dating back to the effort to save the Merrium Apartments. I absolutely understand the need to preserve and protect the monuments, and endorse a program of pruning and maintenance to ensure that the gardens do not endanger fragile stones. However, I must point out that the gardens have imbued the cemetery with unique and special properties that make it one of the most beloved historic public spaces in Sacramento. They have 'activated' the space and engage visitors in a way that a 'restored' and period-correct site could not. I hope you will preserve the character and unique value of this space.
Please find a way to preserve the history and beauty of the plants and roses in the historic cemetery. I have visited this cemetery as a child on a field trip, and taken tours as an adult, and it is a historic resource. Keeping it beautiful honors its history. Covering it with turf and decomposed granite does not honor the cemetery's history or keep it inviting and special for visitors to learn from and appreciate.
Please preserve the beauty of this garden. Don’t take that away.
The roses gardens/plants are why it is so special. Replacing them with turf, DG, and mulch will create a desolate landscape, unappealing and disinteresting to passerby, and discourage visitors. This is where residents/families go for a peaceful outing while learning about the City's history/historical figures/stories. If this plan passes, tours will have fewer attendees. It will be a sad, desolate cemetery like most others. Fewer visitors means less donations and business to the area. The gardens let volunteers/visitors connect with the City. It's been tended to with love for decades.The gardens bring positive national/international attention to the City. Native plants support an ecosystem of pollinators and wildlife. Hidden markers should be respected but plants can still coexist and beautify the space. Approving this plan would take away a special spot for so many current and future Sacramentans and destroy the beauty of the current residents' resting place. It would be crushing.
Good evening, I hope everyone is well. I have family buried in the City Cemetery and I understand its historical importance. I read the report and I I can see that the structures etc. need to be safe from water and root damage but couldn't there be a compromise? Perhaps the roses could be moved to a more suitable location within the cemetery. Also, perhaps the volunteers could be instructed on how to care for the structures so they could make planting decisions with better knowledge. In the report there was a section about the volunteers contacting the City historical person before planting. That could be a compromise. If both sides work together, our Cemetery could be historically accurate AND a place that has a world famous rose garden. Let's make it a win-win situation. Thank you.
It seems that most involved are relative newcomers to the cemetery. The comment it was neglected into the 80’s and 90’s demonstrated staff did not have a concept of the past-this neglect ENDED in the 1980’s. Beautification is a requirement to draw most people into the cemetery, but unfortunately this has been compromised the past several years. When our Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the gardens, plants and trellises, many of which have been removed, were present, I recall there was an initial promise that this process would be transparent. Our City Cemetery is unique and dissimilar from many others, so I do not think guidelines from others may be applicable. In all my years (30+) of involvement, desecration related to volunteers was not identified as a concern. Volunteers did not plant trees. In fact trees were prohibited in our guidelines. Instead of accusations, volunteers should be commended for their respectful efforts to improve the cemetery.
One of my favorite rose gardens the famous Heritage Rose Garden in Dunedin, New Zealand. The pioneer cemetery is planted with Heritage Roses in tribute to the early immigrants who came to New Zealand bringing their favorite roses with them.
In Sacramento pioneers brought roses with them and after 1850 many roses were imported from Europe through the port of San Francisco.
The great Historic Roses cemetery in Sacramento honored that history and is allowed under Federal Guidelines for rehabilitation of historic sites. I am sorry to see the City of Sacramento's harsh response to its presence. The rose garden educated people about California's horticultural history and was visited by people from around the world.
John Blocker
Coronado, California
Founder of a Historic Rose Garden is Old Town State Park in San Diego
Horticultural History Writer for California Garden Magazine
Visitor of Rose Gardens Around the World
We lovers of heritage roses have toured worldwide to appreciate historic gardens. Nine times we drove to Sacramento from San Diego drawn specifically to see the Historic Rose Garden. We are members of five heritage rose groups - local, national, international - and three historic landscape and garden groups. Members revered the Sacramento garden -- we had to see for ourselves. The historic rose garden - akin to garden cemeteries we toured on the east coast, south and Texas - met every expectation and wish, a jewel of a garden and a gem of knowledgeable, respectful volunteers caring for it. You could feel proud.
Currently, the grounds look desolate and deprived of the beauty which enhanced its cemetery art. Conditions in the garden today deplete its historic and aesthetic value.
Please return the "Historic Rose Garden" sign to the garden's entrance; permit the roses to flourish, enriching the funerary art; and support the corps of dedicated volunteers. Thea Gurns Coronado, CA
It is heartbreaking to see the results of your so-called "Preservation Plan." You are destroying, not preserving an historic location that brought countless people to the cemetery to admire the roses in combination with the monuments and gravestones. By continuing with your foolhardy plans, you will turn the cemetery into what it was before the wonderful volunteers brought grace and beauty AND historic California pioneer roses and companion plants which in no way were detrimental to the graves. Many people came to Sacramento, spent money, and sang the praises of the cemetery. I for one have no reason to return now that the garden has been ruined and is on its way to becoming an ecological disaster with the misguided pruning techniques that are currently being used. Please bring back your volunteers who knew how to lovingly care for the plants AND the gravestones.
As the owner of the property next to Odd Fellows cemetery, I appreciate the positive impact volunteers of the rose garden at the Old City Cemetery have made on our neighborhood and community. They have helped to make it a point of pride and destination. They have collaborated with other historic rose gardens across the nation creating a beautiful and historically accurate version of what a Victorian cemetery rose garden looked like, and have followed the original intent of it's creators. Referencing cemetery photos and plans from a post war point of view, where sterilization and "minimization" of the landscape was little more than expansive lawn, is not in keeping with it's historic intent, and does not reflect biodiverse practices of the present or future. I do not understand why the city has chosen to implement practices that are detrimental to the revival of this landscape, instead of working more closely with it's volunteers who made it the point of pride that it is today.
I was shocked to learn of the plan to destroy Saramento's Historic Rose Garden, much like Melania destroyed the nation's. The rose garden is venerated both inside and outside of the Sacramento city limits. It is a place of beauty, joy and solace, providing unique and special roses for all visitors to enjoy,
Once destroyed it cannot be brought back, so please tread lightly.
I understand that the current management does not find the roses "historic' enough. What is decades of people volunteering to bring beauty and uniqueness to this city, if not history? Sacramento always seeks to be considered a world class city and here we have a outstanding garden that is famous around the world and there is a plan to replace it with some "historic" turf and decomposed granite?
I am a Sacramento taxpayer.
Reading the proposed plans to remove a substantial part of the garden over the next few years to replace what has been a source of joy for countless Sacramentans with turf and DG is heartbreaking. As a citizen who believes strongly in historic preservation and understands the intention of this proposed plan I feel that its application in this circumstance is myopic. The community has made substantial contributions to this site which have secured it a place in the hearts and minds of many Sacramentans as a destination for both history and beauty. What's more the garden represents countless hours of time and care on behalf of its volunteer gardeners representing the degree of pride and civic ownership the community feels about this space. It would be my hope that the commission would be able to find an accommodation that enables both the garden to remain and the signage to be improved without establishing an either or scenario.
This garden brings people into this historical cemetery and does NOT take away from the historically accurate details of this place. It creates enough interest for the community to get involved and take care of this place. The roses that are growing here are native and antique- so much so that we’ve become known for them. The community loves these beautiful gardens and this cemetery will look absolutely drab and dull without them. I personally come here for picnics in the spring and I can’t imagine doing that if it’s all rocks and mulch. I don’t know what the purpose is of this proposal? What do you gain? A garden only adds to the experience of people touring the gardens and many historic cemeteries did have them. Please take pride in something that our city’s residents have poured their hearts and time into and that people come here to admire. Look at all of these comments! Please make a decision that reflects our community’s feelings on this matter.
The staff report falsely states that the Historic Rose Garden and its irrigation system were installed without authority and documentation. It states that the irrigation system, operated without overheard spray with automated timers, does damage to the plot surrounds, which are built without bottoms, on sandy soil, so there is not water pressure. The report fails to acknowledge the 2019 Planting Guidelines which were approved by the TAC. The photos show barren plots with harshly pruned roses. Volunteers know how to keep plot surounds and monuments clear, while maintaining beautiful plants. There is no evidence of damage from the plants and mulch, or even from the concrete on the trellis that staff installed. The solution is to push the reset button, revise the Preservation Assessment to recognize the rose garden as part of the fabric of the historic landscape, allow the rose volunteer team to reform, and work together to beautifully combine horticulture and history.
Over the past 20 years, I have tended the property next to Oddfellows Cemetery. As such, I've been a steady visitor to the Old City Cemetery and it's historic rose gardens, and never have I seen it looking as poorly maintained as it does now. I was there this past week, and overgrown weeds are creeping under the very hardscapes and gravestones this document seems to be concerned about. Old heritage roses are pushing suckers because they have been poorly maintained. On the HOTTEST day this year, the city had people pruning ornamental trees and roses meant to be done in winter months. The volunteers had much respect for the sites, history, and the landscape, it is shameful that the city hasn't done a better job to work with these stewards who helped make this place a landmark destination. They worked carefully, by hand, to find a balance between the historic rose species, the gravestones, and environmental stewardship. All things which Sacramento should be interested in preserving.