CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – March 3, 2022 – The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont (BGP) has secured its single largest donation to date thanks to a $1.5 million gift from Dr. Carol R. Angle.

Dr. Angle’s unprecedented gift of $1,500,000 will pave the way for the Garden to finalize the architectural plans while inspiring additional philanthropic support to create a botanical garden that will be a showcase for Central Virginia.

Commenting on her gift, Dr. Angle said, “The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont will offer a uniquely beautiful garden sanctuary in the heart of Charlottesville that will strengthen our community in countless ways.”

“Gardens trigger curiosity,” said BGP Board President Carol Carter. “Our Botanical Garden will bring people together, and our educational programs will foster that curiosity in the natural world. Because of the generosity of Dr. Angle, we are moving closer to making the Garden a reality.”

This gift comes at a time when BGP is truly gaining momentum. In October of 2021, the Garden was granted a land lease by the City of Charlottesville, which gave the Garden the autonomy to begin site improvements. The land lease also expanded the Garden site to nearly 15 acres.

As a result of Dr. Angle’s transformational gift, combined with other generous donations received from members of the community and environmentally-focused foundations, the Garden has secured more than $3 million in private philanthropic support. It is the Garden’s intent to complete the next two design phases – site work and begin to install the Children’s Garden – within the next three to five years.

About The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont

The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is a 501(c)3 organization that is building an urban oasis and community resource for all residents of and visitors to Greater Central Virginia. The Garden will be an admission-free neighborhood hub and a discovery center, celebrating the flora of Central Virginia and offering learning and entertainment opportunities for ALL. Occupying a nearly 15-acre space in the northeastern section of McIntire Park, The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is currently in the design phase, under the direction of the award-winning landscape architects Mikyoung Kim Design and Waterstreet Studio.  For more information, please visit www.piedmontgarden.org.