Those of us who frequented the Columbus Park of Roses in the 1950s vaguely remember a wide path originating on the ravine’s edge near where the Herb Garden is now.

It curved down steps, traversed the woods, crossed a wooden bridge spanning the creek, climbed a flight of stairs on the south side of the ravine, and terminated at a solitary turnstile!

 

Two fortuitous encounters last summer shed a bit more light on the phantom path and entrance. A visitor shared that he remembers this as the original CPOR entrance with a large gravel parking lot between West Acton Road (renamed Hollenback Drive) and the south side of the ravine — the area where there are now softball diamonds.

 

Also, the grandson of Eugene Rosebrook, one of the city’s landscape architects who assisted in designing the CPOR, sent us the wonderful images you see here. They show the entrance with two turnstiles under construction, a grand stairway, the wooden bridge and possibly the stairway up to the gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This route would certainly have been a challenge for most visitors! Perhaps plans changed, precipitating the more gentle semicircular entrance staircase to the west of the Whetstone Shelterhouse.

As you drive along Hollenback, look to the north along the tree line beyond the ball field. You’ll see two majestic, old oaks that may have graced this short-lived entrance almost 70 years ago.

If you have any memories or facts about this initial entrance, please share them with us at: rosefoundation@parkofroses.org.

Written by Martha Wiles, Park of Roses Foundation member