Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to open expanded Conservatory, new gardens May 23
Days after officially celebrating the conclusion of its two-year expansion project, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will open new sections to the public Saturday, may 23.
The project has nearly doubled the size of the existing Conservatory, added 7.5 acres of new gardens, and incorporated an additional lake into the Garden experience. The aim: to increase opportunities for connections, wellness, learning and resiliency, according to Garden officials.
“We have continually seen an increase in visitation and engagement with our programs over the years,” said Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden President and CEO Brian Trader. “This expansion enables us to grow our mission by increasing opportunities to bring the community together for enjoyment, learning and connection to the natural world.
The project was designed to provide space for exciting new guest experiences and programming; increase outdoor classroom learning opportunities; advance botanical collections and create more diverse gardens; and expand the Kroger Community Kitchen Garden, allowing for more produce to be grown for regional food bank Feed More.
Among the additions:
• Conservatory – The facility nearly doubling in size with the addition of tropical and subtropical houses, including a permanent butterfly house; conversion of existing houses to Mediterranean and desert climates.
• New gardens – 7.5 acres of new gardens have been around the Conservatory and Wick Lake.
• Wick Lake – The lake has been incorporated into the guest experience, including Martha’s Way, a walking trailthat encircles the lake. Enhancements have increased the lake’s size to four acres, adding wildlife habitat, creating a living classroom, and serving as a stormwater management resource.
• Kroger Community Kitchen Garden – Expansion includes a demonstration garden growing produce for Feed More, plus more fruit trees, berries and vegetables.
