PHOTOS: Melania Trump unveils Rose Garden restoration ahead of her RNC speech there
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- First lady Melania Trump unveiled on Saturday morning the restoration of the White House Rose Garden -- an initiative that kicked off several weeks ago -- ahead of her RNC speech Tuesday which will be broadcast from there.
This project marks the first time in 60 years that the Rose Garden has been given a facelift, the first lady's office said.
Last month Melania Trump said, "Protecting the historic integrity of the White House landscape is a considerable responsibility, and we will fulfill our duty as custodians of the public trust."
The most notable change to the Rose Garden is the addition of a 3-foot-wide limestone walking path bordering the central lawn. The restoration plan returns the Rose Garden to its original 1962 footprint.
Among the various flowers added is the "Pope John Paul II Rose," a tall plant with white roses, in honor of of his visit to the White House in 1979, the first visit of a Pope to the White House.
There's also improved drainage and infrastructure, and making the garden more accessible for people with disabilities.
The Rose Garden renovation plan is paid for with private donations, but the White House has not provided its cost.
