Morcom Rose Garden

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Morcom Rose Garden is a historic public rose garden in Oakland, California. It’s located at 700 Jean Street, in the Rose Garden neighborhood near the Piedmont border.

What it is
- The garden is known for thousands of roses and scenic features, including a reflecting pool, a cascading fountain, and multiple garden terraces.
- It was designed by Arthur Cobbledick and patterned after Italian garden styles.
- The site was formerly Linda Vista Park, opened in 1915.

History and development
- In 1930, the Oakland Businessmen’s Garden Club began turning Linda Vista Park into a rose garden, led by Dr. Charles Vernon Covell.
- It opened in 1934, with the Florentine oval garden finished first.
- The project received help from New Deal era programs, carried out by the State Employment Relief Administration (SERA) and funded by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). Work continued through 1934–1935.
- The garden was originally called the Oakland Municipal Rose Garden and was renamed Morcom Amphitheater of Roses in 1954 in honor of former Oakland mayor Fred N. Morcom.

Layout and key features
- The garden has three main sections:
- Jean Street entrance on the south end, with a curved colonnade and a rose-lined walkway.
- The middle area around a reflecting pool, with a 14-step cascade down the hillside, a wedding terrace in stone, and a loggia that serves as office/storage space.
- The north end features a large Florentine oval garden with terraced beds and stone stairways.
- A renovation in the early 2000s added “The Mother’s Walk,” a path from the pool to the Florentine garden, with brass plaques honoring mothers each year.

Current upkeep and use
- The garden contains about 2,400 rose bushes.
- It is cared for by a small city staff and a dedicated volunteer community, including the group Friends of Morcom Rose Garden and volunteers known as the Dedicated Deadheaders.
- The site can be reserved for weddings with a capacity of up to about 200 guests.

Designation and significance
- Morcom Rose Garden was designated an Oakland Designated Landmark in 1980, highlighting its historical and cultural importance to the city.

Visiting
- The garden is open to the public and offers a peaceful setting to enjoy thousands of roses, seasonal blooms, and views across Oakland.