Tucked in a residential neighborhood in Evanston at Lake Street and Oak Avenue, one block east of Ridge Avenue, is a beautiful and fragrant oasis called the Merrick Rose Garden. This public garden is a popular location for small weddings and special occasions, as well as for wedding photographs. Fees charged help defray the cost of the maintenance. Did you know that it is also an All American Rose Selections Inc (AARS) display garden? Every year the AARS selects and donates new rose varieties to display the year before they are available in retail garden centers and catalogs.
Longtime area residents may wonder what happened to the Centennial Fountain that was once the centerpiece and namesake of Fountain Square (located at the intersection of Orrington and Sherman Avenues and Davis Street in downtown Evanston). It has resided since 1951 at the south end of the rose garden. It provides a memorable and nostalgic focal point in this beautiful garden setting.
To learn more about the history of this garden check out the city of Evanston’s website: www.cityofevanston.org
