sad...I'm not sure what happened but thats sad...

When were you there, Barbara?

June 26, 2017. I go to Columbus about every 3 months to visit my mother.

We did have about 10 straight days of very hot and dry weather 2-3 weeks ago -- and heavy rain before and after -- don't know if that could account for it. Some of my roses have not been thriving this year & I have wondered if the weather extremes have had something to do with it.

I've not been to the park since last year. The roses have always been beautiful.

Wow! Great to have some Ohioans to compare notes! Looks like I missed you by one week, Barbara. I've only been last year and this year. Most things actually looked better this year, especially the Austins,even though everything was well ahead of last year. It was clear they are newer roses, so perhaps they had RRD? I would have liked to see a bit more diversity, generally I just happy to see so many roses. I found it fantastic which is why I wanted to go back this year. We had one of the oldest old rose gardens in the US, but now it has about five roses and the rest are perennials.

BTW, I mention RRD because the Richmond, IN Rose garden was comprised entirely of new plantings last year and I saw terrible RRD there for the first time. I assumed that was the reason for all new roses. ; ( Sad and scary.

http://www.parkofroses.org/park-of-roses-peak-bloom-season-arrives-early-this-year/

I noticed the bathroom situation which can be a deal-breaker for me. Such a shame to do it permanently. I read online they do get a lot of volunteers for fall pruning, but I don't know their other cultural practices. It's pretty clear the pruners don't make it into the Earthkind section as so much was growing in the paths. Maybe the plants look "new" because they were newer varieties with many of the same and they prune a lot? Jeffcat often posted pics from there; I may compare them someday. The beds looked pretty well-mulched to me, but I have no comparison to many prior years. I wish I lived c be there all the time.

I do have one negative that has nothing to do with the plants and if I hadn't been going to Peter Schneider's Open House, I wouldn't have made the trek to Columbus on its own. I originally was going to Chicago to see their rose garden. When I called there, the lady actually went over to the garden and called me back from there to let me know what was in bloom!!!! When I called CPoRs and asked what was blooming, the man said,"roses", without a bit of irony. When I asked if they had passed peak, he said, " The roses in my yard are blooming, so I assume these are too." (This was the person I was directed to who was meant to know!) When I explained I have a two hour drive, he indicated that was personal problem and there was no one else to ask! So, with that kind of interest in the garden it's not surprising the standard has dropped from what you've experienced prior. For me, it was still a wonderful experience and I'll go again next year, if not in the Fall.

P.S. and OT: As a newbie I'd love to hear what roses grow well and healthy for you Ohioans. We have more humidity and different soil where I am, but similar rainfall and general temps. I zone up to avoid winter kill.