In 2005, the Trustees of New York Restoration Project (NYRP) funded the transformation of this once-barren space into a rose garden, both to honor NYRP Founder Bette Midler on her 60th birthday and to celebrate NYRP's 10th anniversary.

Prior to its restoration, this vacant plot was nothing more than a trash-filled lot, with only dirt and concrete slabs serving to compliment a blighted eyesore. In just three short months, NYRP construction crews prepared the site for its re-design by picking up trash and removing concrete and rubble. In addition, NYRP staff installed a rod-iron fence to help ensure the preservation and protection of the space for years to come.

Renowned landscape architect Brian Sawyer generously provided the design for this now beautifully manicured, 1,500-square-foot garden. Situated directly across from JHS 145 and other schools that make up the Arturo Toscanini campus, the garden’s unique, triangular shape features a diverse variety of roses and several planting beds. When envisioning the re-design of what is now considered a community treasure, NYRP consulted with JHS 145 to create an outdoor classroom, where students study the environment and cultivate vegetables, including tomatoes, basil, peppers, eggplant and oregano.

In 2007, NYRP and the City of New York launched the MillionTreesNYC tree-planting initiative with a star-studded press event, located just steps away from the garden. Commemorative trees were planted both in Bette’s Rose Garden and in front of JHS 145 to celebrate the event. In addition, MillionTreesNYC’s “Tree One” is growing and thriving just down the block from this community gem, on the northeast corner of 165th Street and Teller Avenue.

Bette’s Rose Garden is located in the Morrisania section of the South Bronx in a community comprised primarily of one- and two-family homes.