Lebanon and Beyond Garden Now Open at the ABQ BioPark
Enjoy a new space for reflection, discovery, and connection at the Botanic Garden.
October 02, 2025
ALBUQUERQUE - Lebanon and Beyond garden, ABQ BioPark’s newest addition, opened today. The New Mexico BioPark Society celebrated with a ceremony at the Botanic Garden. This immersive new space highlights the cultural and ecological connections between the Mediterranean and the American Southwest, blending Lebanese and New Mexican landscapes in a one-of-a-kind experience.
The project was primarily supported by generous funding from Robert and Monika Ghattas, longtime Albuquerque business owners and community leaders who have called the city home for more than 70 years, as well as the New Mexico BioPark Society (NMBPS).
Like other globally inspired gardens at the BioPark, Lebanon and Beyond reflects the BioPark’s mission to connect people with the natural world and celebrate diverse ecosystems. The garden invites visitors to reflect on how landscapes and cultures can intertwine in beautiful, meaningful ways.
“The Ghattas family’s generosity, combined with the support of our members and donors, has made Lebanon and Beyond possible,” said NMBPS Executive Director Julie Miller Rugg. “This garden is a shining example of how philanthropy helps us create extraordinary spaces that connect people with nature and celebrate our community’s cultural heritage.”
Lebanon and Beyond visitors will find:
- Mediterranean plantings like fig trees and iconic Lebanon cedars alongside New Mexican flora like Yucca rostrata.
- Lebanese-inspired architecture and stonework integrated with desert landscapes.
- Sensory and gathering spaces, including a conservatory and terrace, designed for education, small events and reflection.
“Lebanon and Beyond is more than a garden,” said Mayor Keller. “It’s a place where culture and nature come together, and a living tribute to the generosity and vision that will shape the BioPark experience for generations.”
For additional updates about animals, events, conservation initiatives, and other happenings, visit www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark.
MEDIA: Photos are available.