Kansas City’s municipal rose garden in Loose Park is the realization of a dream that began in 1931, when a group of citizens under the leadership of Laura Conyers Smith established the Kansas City Rose Society. The garden was renamed in 1965, and is now known as the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden.The rose garden has been maintained through a partnership of the Kansas City Rose Society and the Kansas City, Missouri, Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. The Rose Society furnishes all the roses while park employees provide ongoing care. In addition, Rose Society members volunteer hundreds of hours each year to assist the Loose Park staff with pruning in the garden.
• The rose garden has been recognized with awards both internationally and nationally by the World Federation of Rose Societies and the American Rose Society.
• The garden’s circular plan was the concept of famous landscape architect S. Herbert Hare.
• The first garden contained 120 rose plants. Today, there are about 3,000 roses of nearly 130 varieties in the 1.5 acre garden.
• In 1944, the West Garden was dedicated to the heroes of World War II.
• The Italian stone fountain was dedicated in 2002. This sparkling centerpiece was made possible by generous contributions from private donors.
• In 2008-09, an extensive renovation of the garden was undertaken thanks to funds raised by the Society from public and private donors. The project included improved drainage and irrigation systems, installation of metal edging, improvements to the north shelter, installation of an interior circular walking path and the planting of about 1,200 new roses in the re-defined beds.
• In 2024, the Kansas City Rose Society added a beautiful new bird bath in the North Garden, placed by Van Liew’s Home and Garden.
