Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District

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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