Renzie rose Garden is maintained by volunteers

THEME:     Nourish our community, our club and ourselves.

MOTTO:   The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.

GOAL:       To promote the Garden Club of McKeesport's 90 years of service by providing education, networking, opportunities and love of gardening, floral design, and civic and environmental responsibility.

CLUB FLOWER:  The Rose

CLUB TREE:         The Dogwood

The Garden Club of McKeesport was founded in 1933 and since 1938 has leased the property from the City of McKeesport and it has been our responsibility to maintain these grounds. Through backbreaking hard work, the generosity of donations from caring benefactors and countless plant and craft sales we have brought this garden up to a standard of national recognition. We are the second largest rose garden in PA and have been voted one of the top 10 best AARS rose gardens in America.  All of this is due to the loyal dedication of our members.

Our main focus of the Garden Club of McKeesport is maintaining our 3 1/2 acre public garden of AARS roses, perennials, water pond, herb garden and a beautiful butterfly garden.  It is open from dawn to dusk, free of charge to all who visit. It is the main focal point of the McKeesport community as well as the surrounding communities.

• We begin in April with the pruning of the roses and continue our work throughout the garden until Mid-November.  EVERY WEDNESDAY is a workday and all members are expected to participate in some capacity.

• Our Garden Club also maintains a 2-story clubhouse where we conduct our meetings, crafting of gifts for sales, workshops and luncheons and teas.

• New plants will be added to our perennial bed and annuals will be added to our garden as well.

• Several of the many rose beds will be renovated this year with the planting of new roses.

We will host five teas annually:  Mothers Day, and the second Thursday in June, July, September and October.  We will also provide many tours of our beautiful garden and well as luncheons upon request.  Sample Victorian TEA menu: 

Fresh Fruit

Homemade Classic Scones with Whipped Strawberry Butter, Strawberry Preserves and Devonshire Creme

Chicken Salad on Croissant

Cucumber Sandwich on Baguette Slices

Boursin-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Mini Cheese Quiche

Ham and Apple on White Bread

Orange & Berries Bread with Cream Cheese Filling

Mini Cream Puffs

Lemon Bars

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Homemade Candies

A Variety of Teas

We will end the year assisting the community by participating in McKeesport's Festival of Trees with the sale of fresh greens, crafts and a bake sale.  

The Garden Club of McKeesport members average a total of 4000 hours yearly and maintain the Arboretum at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport including the Rose Garden. The Club consists of four membership classes: Regular members who are required to work in the gardens or our events, Associate members who cannot physically work but are full members, Provisional members are newly accepted members and must complete all requirements to become an Active member. Honorary Membership is a new category for membership to financially support the club without the work requirements.  Honorary members pay reduced annual dues and are members in name only. They are invaluable for the ongoing support of the organization. They have no obligation to work in the gardens or at any of our events but are more than welcome to attend any event.  They will receive an information letter twice a year to keep them informed and will be invited to an annual luncheon to thank them for their support. Email us for more info: mckgclub@gmail.com