Awareness Garden

Updated June 11, 2025

## Awareness Garden, Lynchburg (VA): Quiet Reflection on the Blackwater Creek Trail

Address: 1700 Old Langhorne Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24503
Coordinates: 37.4186132, -79.1874334
Type: Garden & remembrance space (nonprofit)
Official site/contacts: awarenessgarden.org • (434) 384-6740 • [email protected] Garden Foundation

### What the Awareness Garden is—and why it matters
The Awareness Garden is a community-built place of remembrance and healing for anyone touched by cancer. Visitors come to sit, reflect, and—if they wish—ring the celebration bell in honor or memory of loved ones. Commemorative engraved bricks line the pathways, and the nonprofit foundation behind the garden funds scholarships for students affected by cancer or entering cancer-related fields. Garden Foundation

Founded as a charitable project and maintained by the Awareness Garden Foundation, the space sits at the Ed Page entrance to the Blackwater Creek Trail—one of Lynchburg’s most-used paved greenways. It’s a serene stop on a larger network of trails, making it easy to combine a visit with a short walk or bike ride. Garden Foundation

> Hours: The garden is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Admission is free. Garden Foundation

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## Planning Your Visit

### Exact location & getting there
– The garden is by the Ed Page trailhead (look for signage near the Farm Basket on Langhorne Rd). Plug in the address above; all major map apps find it reliably. Garden Foundation
– If you’re already on the Blackwater Creek Trail, the garden is directly off the paved path at the Ed Page entrance (trail mile zero). Parks and Recreation

### Parking & current changes (important)
– Parking exists at Ed Page, and the city (in partnership with the Foundation) began a parking-lot expansion project to add ~38 spaces, improve access, and reduce roadside parking. Construction has triggered occasional short-term closures of the Ed Page lot and entrance. Check recent city/parks updates before you go.
– Restrooms are available at the Ed Page entrance (trailhead facilities). Parks and Recreation

> Outdated-data flag: Parking/entrance availability around Ed Page changed several times in 2025 due to construction. Verify the latest status via Lynchburg Parks & Recreation or the Awareness Garden’s channels before your visit. VA Official Website

### Accessibility notes
– Surfaces at the garden and the adjoining Ed Page segment of Blackwater Creek Trail are paved. Some trailheads in this system report designated accessible parking; conditions can vary with ongoing works, so check current access information if you have specific mobility needs. Parks and Recreation

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## What you’ll see & do

### The celebration bell & memorial bricks
At the center is a bell many visitors ring to mark milestones—remission, anniversaries, or remembrance. Underfoot, thousands of engraved bricks honor names and messages from families across the region; the Foundation hosts periodic Brick Dedication ceremonies where new names are celebrated. Garden Foundation

### A garden built for reflection
Expect brick-lined paths, benches, seasonal blooms (peonies are standouts in spring), and shaded corners to read or reflect. Photos from the Foundation and the city’s tourism board show perennial beds, a pergola and seating areas designed for unhurried time.

### Pair it with a trail outing
Because it sits on the Blackwater Creek Trail, you can add:
– A stroll or bike on the 3-mile paved bikeway through urban forest.
– Side excursions to features like the railroad tunnel and riverside segments deeper in the system.

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## Community programs & how the Garden gives back
Beyond horticulture, the Foundation invests in:
– Scholarships: financial awards for students affected by cancer or pursuing oncology-related studies.
– Events & education: on-site gatherings that grow understanding, connection, and support.
– Endowment & donations: gifts maintain the grounds and fund outreach. Garden Foundation

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## Practical tips

– Best times: Early morning and late afternoon for softer light and quieter paths.
– Respect the space: It’s a memorial garden—please keep voices low and avoid amplified music.
– Weather/season: The garden is attractive year-round; late spring brings showy blooms, and a holiday lighting is typically scheduled in December (date varies by year).
– Nearby amenities: Ed Page has restrooms; food/coffee options are nearby along Langhorne Rd (the trailhead is “near the Farm Basket”). Parks and Recreation

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## Quick facts (verified)

– Established/dedicated: The site was developed as a community project supporting those touched by cancer; a local garden club contributed funds and planning, with dedication noted in 2003. Garden Club
– Governance: Operated by the Awareness Garden Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3). Garden Foundation
– Open hours: Dawn–dusk daily. Garden Foundation
– Phone/email: (434) 384-6740 • [email protected].
– Trail linkage: At the Ed Page entrance to Blackwater Creek Trail. Parks and Recreation

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### Inclusivity & accuracy notes
– This guide avoids assumptions about who the Garden is “for.” The space welcomes all who wish to reflect or honor loved ones; programming and commemorations are not restricted by identity or background.
– Infrastructure (parking/entrance routing) has been evolving. Accessibility is supported by paved paths and trailhead facilities, but specific accommodation details can change with construction; confirm the latest if you rely on accessible parking or drop-offs. Parks and Recreation

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### In one line
A peaceful, dawn-to-dusk memorial garden with a bell to ring, names underfoot, and a paved trail right outside the gate—simple, meaningful, and easy to add to any Lynchburg itinerary. Garden Foundation

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Awareness Garden

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Places to Stay Near Awareness Garden"Beautiful place to sit and relax or take the scenic walking trails."

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