In the northwest corner of Julia Davis Park is a small parcel of earth that lies within the larger park boundaries - the Rose Garden. Along with bees and insects of all kinds, the garden lures waves of visitors everyday from prom dates in gowns and formal wear, to photographers and wedding parties. They all walk through the garden in silent appreciation and vocal praise for what they see.
The Garden is partially maintained for several months by a small troop of volunteers who walk the garden trimming blooms, pulling weeds and maintaining its beauty.
the volunteers are a mix of recent and long time residents, each with their own story how they came to Boise and how they found their way to the Rose Garden. but collectively, the common theme was to be a part of their community, to give back, to help out in a way they could.
The Julia Davis Rose Garden is set to be redesigned over the winter. Roses are being labeled and tagged, to be dug up and stored during the work. When finished the garden will be expanded and the two fountains at both ends will be removed.
Laura Spencer has been volunteering at the Rose Garden for six years. She has been a resident of Boise for 34 years.
Melinda Rippy has been a volunteer four years. She's recently retired and spends 2 -3 hours every Friday in the garden.
Connie Christofferson enrolled in Master Naturalist training which led her to the rose garden. She says that visitors sometimes stop and thank them directly for their work in the rose garden.
Today, there are approximately 2400 different roses blooming in the garden.
Tim Mitchell is one of newest members of volunteers. He is a long-time resident of Idaho. He starts his day talking to the roses, telling them how good they look and then begins looking them over, deciding what they need.
Kathy Brummund has been a volunteer three years as of this 2025 summer. She was a high school teacher in California before moving to Boise a few years ago.
The Rose Garden originated with H. C. Schuppel in 1935. Schuppel was chairman of a Mens Garden Club called the "Cut Worms." The club was restricted to 20 members and two rules: no women and no publicity.
The City of Boise's website says the Julia Davis Park is the cities oldest park and created in 1907 by Thomas Davis who donated 43 acres of land as a memorial to his wife, Julia.
Rodger and Kelly Stringham, recently retired from Virginia are second year volunteers. They also volunteer in the weed warriors program helping to eradicate goatherds. While they are happy living in boise, Kelly said it was hard at first to get use to the lack of green in the area.
Kathy Sagunsky came to Boise about four years ago from Oregon. Kathy said that while all the volunteers break up individually to work, they are like a little family.
Julia Davis was known for her kindness and gracious hospitality, welcoming and assisting emigrants traveling the Oregon Trail.
Diane Davis Myklegard is the great granddaughter of Thomas and Julia Davis, the namesake of the park. Diane has been tagging roses this summer for their temporary removal and storage while the garden gets redesigned. She has been instrumental in raising donations for the park and rose garden.
Mindy Leroy, standing with her favorite roses, is the head of the Rose Society in Boise. She records the history of the Rose Garden and the Rose Society.
Jerry Pugh is the City of Boise's Community Volunteer Coordinator. He works with all volunteers at the city's parks. His rule of thumb to volunteers tending the rose garden, " what do the roses need? "
