Volunteers keep Renziehausen Park Rose Garden beautiful

Members of the Garden Club of McKeesport would welcome more helpers.

By MATT PETRAS
For the MVI

On a scorchingly hot morning, a tight-knit group of primarily seniors weeded and completed other tasks to maintain McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park Rose Garden.

One of them, Rose Rodgers, has volunteered to take care of the garden for more than two decades.

“We used to have a lot more help. … I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to do it,” Rodgers said. “I mean, I just turned 91. I love to work out in the yard. I have a lot in my yard at home, too.”

For the approximately 45 members of the Garden Club of McKeesport, it’s a tough but rewarding labor of love. However, they warn, especially with the rising heat, that it needs more volunteers.

The club has maintained the garden, located at 1400 Pin Oak Drive, for 92 years. The garden, which can be rented out for weddings and other events, focuses specifically on flowers, especially roses. One section attracts butterflies and another has a koi pond.

Members pay dues, work shifts and have some say in the direction of the club, but anyone is welcome who is willing to volunteer for any amount of time.

For example, people could come on Sundays after church to volunteer, said member and former club president Diane Bochicchio.

Many of the club’s members, past and present, have volunteered for decades. Often, the arduous work of gardening becomes too difficult in old age.

“This year has been especially bad, between the weather, the rain, the heat,” said club president Marsha Pratt. “It’s just really trying. Worst year we’ve had here.”

Despite the difficulties that come along with tending the garden, members greatly enjoy the work. It can be satisfying on top of providing an avenue for socializing outdoors.

“I love gardening,” member Kathy Kuremsky said. “It’s just so much fun. I love to see things grow.”

The members — and many other McKeesport residents who’ve never volunteered — have lots of memories of the garden from over the years. Getting more members would put the club in a better position to maintain those memories for the decades to come.

“It certainly beautifies the community, for sure,” Kuremsky said. “People come and get pictures taken, graduation pictures, there’s weddings here. It’s just a nice spot for the community to come and relax.”

To join the garden club, or to volunteer, call 412-6721050 or email mckgclub@gmail.com.