Ritter Park Rose Garden
Since
1934, West Virginia's nationally recognized municipal rose garden containing
1,000 plants and noted for it's All-American Rose Selections. It is an
accredited test garden and a favorite spot for weddings and receptions.
Ritter Park off McCoy Road (8th Street Hill). I-64 Exits 8 & 11.
Caretaker: TRUMAN WATTS
If you have ever visited Huntington’s Ritter Park Rose Garden,
chances are you might have seen Truman Watts there. Rain or shine for the
past 15+ years, Watts, of West Hamlin has worked the garden as general
manager for the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District.
In 1989, Watts was asked to move from a maintenance position with the
Huntington Park and Recreation District to be the first appointed full-time
general manager of the Rose Garden.
Ritter Park’s 70-year-old Rose Garden currently houses around 2,000 bushes
according to Jim McClelland, Director and Secretary of the Huntington Park
and Recreation District. About 500 to 700 of those bushes have been planted
during Watts’ tenure.
The Rose Garden features many different types and colors of roses with names
such as, "Queen Elisabeth," "Moonstone," and "St. Patrick" and Watts applies
his specific care to all. Watts uses mushroom compost soil, which he says
helps hold the water best.
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