Rose Garden Staff

The first six months of 2007 were hard on the Rose Garden.  Promotions of parks staff left just one employee to run day to day operations. As spring came and went, the overwhelming job of deadheading and weeding of the park fell behind.

In May, just as the positions were to be filled the deteriorating conditions of the Garden became front page news.  Getting back on top of the situation was going to be difficult amid the scrutiny that the publicity had brought.

Lance Loveday (left) and Mike Azevedo (right) started their work at the garden in June.  Though they have many years of experience between them, this will be their first season here in the Rose Garden.  They are fully committed to turning the garden around and happy to work with the Friends of the Rose Garden in their volunteer efforts.

Lance, who holds the position of Gardener, previously worked a route taking care of multiple parks.  Lance received the Rose Garden assignment because of his work ethic.  People have been impressed with his “can do attitude”.  Having one big park to take care of instead of many small ones has it’s benefits.  It doesn’t hurt that it’s a beautiful park.  “I enjoy working here 5 days a week, it’s a great experience” says Lance.

Mike, the groundsworker, comes from the San Jose International Airport.  When he first heard of his new assignment, he took his two toddlers, one and three years old, to play in the big field and see the garden for the first time.  Mike got enthusiastic about his new park and traveled to rose gardens across the country including Texas, Berkeley, and the famous Portland Rose Garden.  He took the time to visit with the gardeners there and asked them questions about their techniques.  He knows with roses it’s going to take some time for the results to show in this garden. Mike is really looking forward to the spring when all the hard work will finally pay off.  Of the gardens he visited, the one thing he found that made the difference was the strong volunteer effort, “Volunteers are the wave of the future for this garden” says Mike, “the best rose gardens had lots of help, and that will make the difference”. 

The City of San Jose had three full time positions a couple years ago.  With the budget shortfalls, they are staffing it with only two.     If you see Lance or Mike in the garden, say “hi” and thank them for their work!