Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to purchase Lakeside Baptist Church property
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will acquire 6.2 acres of land along the western edge of its Lakeside Avenue location from Lakeside Baptist Church in a purchase that is being supported financially by Henrico County.
The nonprofit community-oriented garden has agreed to buy the church’s property at 7401 Woodman Road for $1.9 million. Henrico County will contribute $750,000 during a three-year period, and the garden will raise the rest of the money from donors. The land will transfer officially in July 2025.
The parcel borders the garden on its northern and eastern sides and includes a 1963 sanctuary and classroom buildings totaling 23,700 square feet. The garden, at 1800 Lakeside Avenue, currently encompasses 82 acres. The land from Lakeside Baptist Church will represent the largest expansion of its grounds since the garden’s opening in 1987.
Church leaders contacted Lewis Ginter officials in October 2021 to gauge interest in a potential sale, President and CEO Brian Trader said Thursday.
“We’re honored Lakeside Baptist Church approached us with this opportunity and extremely grateful to Henrico County for making it possible,” Trader said. “The church and the garden have been wonderful neighbors over the past four decades, and this ensures the church’s legacy will continue. It also provides additional future opportunities as the garden seeks to serve the community in exciting and innovative ways.”
