Facilities

Overview

Established in 1930 and located in Gage Park, the Reinisch Rose Garden features 180 varieties of roses totaling more than 4,500 roses. The garden includes both newly released rose varieties and numerous unusual varieties no longer commercially available. The garden has received Better Homes and Gardens Magazine's "More Beautiful America" recognition and the Historic Topeka Inc. Preservation Award. The garden is a popular wedding spot. The adjacent Doran Rock Garden and pond provide a peaceful, tranquil setting that is popular for strolling and photography.

History

The rose garden began as an idea of Topeka's first landscape architect and horticulturist, E F. A. Reinisch, in 1926. However, the project was delayed because of funding issues. After Reinisch's death in 1929, Topeka Horticulture Society members established the garden, which was dedicated in June 1930. Its total cost came to $30,000, all privately donated. One of the largest contributors was Topeka attorney Thomas F. Doran, who served as chairman of the rose garden committee under Dr. Karl Menninger, founder of the Menninger Clinic and president of the Horticultural Society. The garden was designed by Chicago landscape architect Emmett Hill and landscape gardener L. R. Quinlan of the Kansas State Agriculture College.

Weddings at the Rose Garden

Let nature be the backdrop for your special day. Imagine the romantic beauty of your wedding in the Reinisch Rose Garden. The peak blooming times for the 5,500 roses is late May into early June, and in early to mid-September. The Doran Rock Garden blooms with tulips in early to mid-April and annual flowers during the summer months. Seats up to 150. Private rental parties must provide own seating.

Rules

Our gardens are for the enjoyment of everyone. For your safety and to protect the gardens, please note the following rules:

• Thank you for being respectful and courteous to other guests of the garden. This includes weddings and other scheduled events.
• Photography is welcomed, but should not interfere with the enjoyment of other guests. Thank you for not posing in or entering any flower beds.
• Thank you for refraining from climbing on garden structures and trees, and from wading in ponds, fountains, and other water features.
• Feel free to touch and smell the plants and flowers; do not pick, damage or remove plants, flowers, leaves, seeds, rocks or animals. (County Code Sec. 21-7)
• Thank you for not throwing objects into the water features.
• Keep all pets leashed, and clean up after them.
• Help keep the gardens clean by depositing any trash in designated receptacles.
• For your own safety, do not enter a barricaded area or an area posted for pesticide application.
• Do not tamper with water hoses, equipment, tools or signs.
• No soliciting 

Fees & Hours

April 1 to October 31 Monday through Friday

• Session 1: 10 am to 3 pm
  Fee: $175
• Session 2: 5:30 to 10:30 pm
  Fee: $175
• Session 3: 10 am to 10:30 pm
  Fee: $350

Friday through Sunday & Holidays

• Only Session: 10 am to 10:30 pm
  Fee: $350