Today we take a look at McKeesport, PA's Renziehausen Park Rose Garden, Arboretum, and the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center. This is one of the nicest urban parks in the state, home to the second largest rose garden in the state to those at Hershey Gardens. Renzie's Rose Garden has also been rated as one of the ten best in the country.
Renziehausen Park was started with a donation from the estate of the Renziehausen Family, who also donated a house on their property to be used as a convalescent center for diabetics, and donated a huge sum of money to build a new ward at the former Childrens Hospital in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The family made their fortune in distilling, known for the former "Large" brand whiskey. Their estate, coupled with a Depression era WPA project creating infrastructure, helped the Rose Garden open in 1938. The Rose Garden is operated through volunteers from the Garden Club of McKeesport.
Renzie's Arboretum surrounds the park. Within vicinity are the McKeesport Regional Hertitage Center with a one room schoolhouse that dates back to 1832, a fishing pond, playing fields, and a classic bandshell. Each August, the park plays host to the city's annual International Village festival, celebrating the different cultures that have built up the region.
The roses are still looking gorgeous, here in late October. Coupled with the vibrant autumn colors from the arboretum, the roses look great.
Remnants of the New Deal era infrastructure shine through in this park.
McKeesport is a town that has been front and center in our nation's war efforts. Currently and historically, this city has given amongst the highest numbers of war veterans in the nation. The historic industry in McKeesport greatly contributed to what FDR coined, "The Arsenal of Democracy." Factories in McKeesport, as they did across the nation, converted to the war effort in World War II. Through and through, McKeesport has paid, and continues to pay a huge price, when it comes to the armed forces. For this fact, there is a tremendous amount of pride within the city.
A serene setting for a relaxing stroll.
Be sure to check out McKeesport's Renziehausen Park's world class Rose Garden, Arboretum, the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center, and the rest of the offerings at Renzie Park.
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