Recently, a local Riverside couple donated close to five acres of land to California Baptist University. Included on this property is a 6,300-square-foot house, barn, pickleball and tennis court as well as CBU’s first botanical garden.
Colleges like University of California Riverside have had a botanical garden since 1963. This is a major milestone for CBU, as the university has never had a garden like this for the Lancer community. One of the reasons the couple gifted CBU this garden was because they knew many universities have their own botanical garden and CBU did not.
Lucy and Frank Heyming’s property is located only a block away from campus, making it the perfect place for CBU’s community. Aria Kaiser, senior environmental science major, expressed how having hands-on experience is essential for environmental science students and how it can benefit the broader CBU community as well.
“Being able to take things we learned from class, and have somewhere to go and be like, ‘Oh, hey, this is an example of what I learned about in class.’ It’s just really awesome to have an experience of being able to go somewhere and identify things,” Kaiser said. “For the wider CBU body, it’s a really cool place where people can kind of get out and get fresh air and experience nature. It’s available for students to be able to go there and have like a mental health break and everything.”
Visitors can find 345 trees of more than 100 different varieties, as well as some of Heyming’s own sculptures, in the botanical garden. Frank Heyming began sculpting after retiring in 2012 and even donated one of his pieces to CBU in 2018. His sculpture “Inspiration” is located between the Wallace Theatre and the Alumni Dining Commons.
According to a CBU News article published on Sept. 18, 2025, Frank Heyming reflected on the years of work he and his wife, Lucy, poured into their property before donating it to CBU.
“The garden is a labor of love. We enjoyed doing it,” Frank Heyming said. “It was fun because it was something we designed piece by piece. And that was part of our motivation in giving it to CBU. We wanted to see the botanical garden remain for the community.”
The house donated to CBU holds a rich history. Built in 1916 by Alvin Untermyer, it originally sat on 27 acres. Earle and Vida Halliburton bought the property in 1929 and expanded the living area to accommodate their five children. Over the years, the home went through many owners and at one point served as a nursing home.
CBU President Dr. Ronald L. Ellis praised the Heyming’s generosity and lasting impact on the community, according to a CBU News article published on Sept. 18, 2025.
“Frank and Lucy’s philanthropic spirit shines through everything they do,” Ellis said. “Their generosity and unwavering commitment to Riverside reflect a deep-rooted spirit of philanthropy that inspires us all. We are profoundly grateful for their support.”
This new addition to CBU will give students an opportunity for hands-on learning and research, and a place to wind down, relax or have some fun with friends at the pickleball and tennis court. CBU is deciding how best to use the property, but this garden will be here for students for generations while furthering the university’s mission.
Kaiser reflected on how this garden is a great example of what God has given us.
“We have something that demonstrates the different things God has given us and we’re able to see that come to fruition with [the garden]. I think God’s really creative and he’s made so many cool things. It’s great that we’ll have an opportunity to experience that,” Kaiser said.
