A Short History of The Legacy Rose Garden at the Yorba Linda Public Library
by Norma Storrs Keating
The Legacy Rose Garden was a gift from the Yorba Linda Woman’s Club to the Yorba Linda Public Library and the City of Yorba Linda. It was dedicated on 29 June 2021 at a ceremony attended by members of the Yorba Linda City Council, City Staff, Woman’s Club, and Library personnel. It is called a Legacy Garden because it is the second Rose Garden presented to the Library. The first was created and dedicated at the previous library site on the corner of Imperial Highway and Lemon Drive.
The rose is the flower of both the City of Yorba Linda and the Yorba Linda Woman’s Club (YLWC). Early in 1959 the Garden Section of the YLWC spearheaded a drive to choose an official city flower. The committee proposed three choices on a ballot: Rose, Hibiscus, and Magnolia. A space for write-ins was also provided. The selection was publicized in the Yorba Linda Star newspaper and residents cast their votes in boxes placed about the city. The Rose was the overwhelming choice as the city’s official flower.
Once the selection was made, an official planting ceremony took place on 23 April 1959 at three locations within the city. The first location was at the birthplace of President Richard M. Nixon where his mother, Hannah, took part in planting his favorite rose, The Talisman. Next, a climbing rose named Peace was planted in the town park. Lastly, a climbing rose name Golden Showers was planted near the entrance of the new public library, which was under construction.
From April 1959 until the official opening of the library building on 4 February 1960, the YLWC Garden Section continued to work on the library landscaping. Included in that work was a lovely, large, raised planter bed rose garden located near the parking lot. The Club was honored for this work in June 1960 when they received the Richfield Award from the California Garden Clubs Incorporated. |
An extensive renovation and addition to the library building was undertaken from 1990-1992. The roses were moved from their original place by the lower parking lot to a new location just outside the front entrance to the library on Olinda Street.
In 2018 the City announced a new library would be constructed on an open plot of land on Lakeview Avenue. Several members of YLWC met with the library director and building architects to discuss moving the roses to the new library site. Subsequently, after consultation with landscapers and rose experts, it was determined that the original rosebushes would not survive being transplanted again.
In 2018 the City announced a new library would be constructed on an open plot of land on Lakeview Avenue. Several members of YLWC met with the library director and building architects to discuss moving the roses to the new library site. Subsequently, after consultation with landscapers and rose experts, it was determined that the original rosebushes would not survive being transplanted again.
The YLWC Rose Garden Committee explained the situation to the Club members and asked them to “adopt” a rose bush. The ladies did not disappoint. Enough funds were raised to purchase 26 new rose bushes, fund a plaque, and pay for other needed supplies and landscaper fees. The new “Legacy” rose garden was planted on 29 April 2021 outside the Library Community Room.
The plaque was installed on 27 June 2021 and reads:
This Rose Garden is a gift to the Yorba Linda Public Library and the City of Yorba Linda from the Yorba Linda Woman’s Club. The rose is the flower of both the City of Yorba Linda and the Yorba Linda Woman’s Club. This is the second such garden, the first being created and dedicated at the previous library site (Imperial & Lemon) in April 23, 1959, by the Garden Section of the Club, which earned them the California Richfield Award. Dedicated in 2021.
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