The Durbanville Rose Garden has been earmarked for an upgrade with the aim of making it a more sustainable and inclusive public open space. One of the City’s public parks, the garden is a popular attraction amongst rose enthusiasts and one of only three rose trial sites in the southern hemisphere.

The Rose Garden has an interesting history. During the 1970s, the Federation of Rose Societies of South Africa felt that there was a need in the Western Cape for a world-class rose garden where people could learn about the enormous range of rose varieties.

Three municipalities were approached, and a suitable site found in Durbanville. The site once formed part of the Tygerberg wine farm Eversdal, then owned by the Schabort Family. The family graveyard, administered by a family trust, is in the garden.

In 1979 the first roses were planted and in 1981 the test beds were set out. Today, this 3,5 hectare garden boasts 4 500 rose bushes and more than 500 rose varieties.

As founder of the Garden, the Western Cape Rose Society (WCRS) has remained deeply involved and committed to its continuation. The WCRS is the lease holder of the enclosed portion of site, but the City is largely responsible for the maintenance of the grounds.

Thinking long term
To improve the way the Rose Garden is managed, City Parks invited proposals for a longterm management plan, and after submissions had been evaluated, Michelle Swift of Urbanscapes Landscape Architects and Environmental Planners was appointed.

Her plan involves two phases. The first includes upgrades to the drainage and irrigation systems, paving, entrances, signage and boundary fences. In addition, there will be administrative and maintenance improvements.

Currently, it is thought that the ideal would be a joint City/private maintenance staff. A permanent on-site manager is also envisaged, which would also make the garden a more accessible wedding photographic venue.

Linked to these improvements will be a marketing and information drive which includes an upgrade to the Garden’s website and a comprehensive information brochure.

Phase B – still in the planning stages – involves elements such as the introduction of a tea room and other leisure facilities.

Michelle believes that parks and public open spaces should strike a balance between public responsibility and commercial viability.

“We need to fully explore ways of getting the public interested in using this park more, and need to encourage people to actively get involved in the invaluable non-profit organisations such as the Western Cape Rose Society and Friends of the Rose Garden,” she says.