The Ripon Garden Club is promising the city a rose garden.

That’s in reference to a popular song from the 1970s but just the opposite.

Last week, the Ripon City Council accepted the donation from the local garden club for the development of a rose garden near Stouffer Park, authorizing the City of Ripon staff to assist with modifying the existing irrigation along with installing an irrigation controller, grading, and soil preparation.

“The rose garden donation will enhance the front entrance to Stouffer Hall and provide an enjoyable space for residents within the park,” said Public Works Director James Pease at the Oct. 8 meeting.

The Ripon Garden Club donation is valued at $9,800, the staff report said.

Included in the plans will be enhancing the existing camelia plants while creating a decomposed granite walking path and adding rose beds, benches, an arbor, fence, irrigation and additional plants.

City staff will help with the initial labor in making modifications to the existing irrigation system coupled with the other prep work in the designated area. Pease noted that cost of $10,000 for this one-time initial labor expense to the City of Ripon will be paid via the General Fund.

The Ripon Garden Club – a non-profit organization founded in 1954 with the goal of native plants and other species – for its part, will be responsible for all the pruning and groundskeeping within the garden once established, similar to that of the nearby butterfly garden.

Members of the garden club have been working with staff in the development of the rose garden. “It’s been a wonderful experience with the city,” said club officer Lily Cain.

She noted that the Ripon Garden Club has six master gardeners including one who designs the World Peace Rose Gardens.

“I think most people are unaware of the work the Garden Club does around town,” said Vice Mayor Daniel de Graaf, who enjoys taking his family to Butterfly Garden.

As for the time line, Cain said she would like to do it right, with the Ripon Garden Club continuing efforts with the city to develop a realistic timeline.