Unity of Charlottesville Community Meditation Garden

Unity of Charlottesville Community Meditation Garden

Ever evolving, the Garden currently offers a full size outdoor replica of the Labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral, a lovely Japanese bridge, and a Taoist garden meditation space surrounded by ferns, pieris and hellebore which bloom in late winter (earning hellebores the common name of "Lenten Rose"). Our current “in progress” piece is a Native Pollinator garden.  

Who is the Community Meditation Garden for?

The Charlottesville Community Meditation Garden is a quiet place for contemplation, open to everyone in the area, and visitors from out of town. Visitors do not need to be members of the spiritual center in order to use the garden.

Can I rent this space for an event?

The Labyrinth and Pergola in the Community Meditation Garden are available for rentals for special events like weddings, spiritual ceremonies, and for classes - - For example, outdoor yoga instructors, meditation teachers, garden and horticulture teachers may wish to reserve all or part of the garden (as well at Unity's beautiful indoor event and classroom spaces) for classes or events. 

Can groups rent or reserve this space?

Yes, the space is also available for use by local groups, businesses and nonprofits who want to hold a Labyrinth Walk (we can connect you with a professional Labyrinth Walk Facilitator who might be able to work with your group), meditation event, or retreat in this beautiful space.  To inquire, simply call or email the Office Manager at Unity of Charlottesville to inquire about reserving the space, and to discuss what kind of Love Offering or rental fee would be appropriate for your event.  Your donations help to grow our Seed Money fund, which we use to continue to build this beautiful garden.

What does one DO in a Meditation Garden?

Guests are invited to walk the Labyrinth, lay in the grass, sit in one of the benches at the Labyrinth or on the step of the Pergola, or meditate in the garden, experiencing the peaceful setting and opportunity for reflection.  To learn more about how to walk a Labyrinth, click here.  The Taoism Meditation Space is intended to be used by individuals in standing meditation practices such as Tai Chi or Qigong. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the enhanced experience of their own meditation and prayer practice that a natural setting allows. We only ask that visitors are respectful of others using the garden at the same time.

The Community Meditation Garden Design and Construction

The Meditation Garden was designed and built under the direction of Michelle Pike, a landscape designer and Master Gardener in Charlottesville.   The garden has been, and continues to be, lovingly constructed by volunteers from the Unity of Charlottesville Spiritual Center community, along with meditation, gardening, and labyrinth enthusiasts in and around our area.  We would love to invite YOU to join the team!  

Peace and Presence – and there’s even Parking

All of our guests are invited to visit the garden and stay as long as you like.  We offer plenty of parking (although we ask you to park in one of the pull-in parking spaces in any section of the Unity of Charlottesville parking lot, leaving the zebra stripe area along the entry circle to be used as a loading zone)

Is the Community Meditation Garden ADA-accessible?

The Garden is accessible by foot, down a sloped lawn.  It is not yet ADA-accessible.  We are currently fundraising in order to build a ramped entrance to increase the Garden’s accessibility. 

How can I help with the next steps of the development of the Community Meditation Garden? 

To contribute financially, please visit and share our GoFundMe site: https://gofund.me/4d287445

To contact the Community Meditation Garden Director, Michelle Pike, to learn more about volunteering, you may email her at pikegardens@gmail.com .