Frequently Asked Questions

Leach Botanical Garden is managed by Leach Garden Friends, a 501(c) 3 non-profit, in partnership with the City of Portland Parks and Recreation.  Since its public opening in 1983, the garden has been supported through donations, grants, and fundraising from our event rentals, gift shop and classes.  Starting July 2022,  admission fees have become an important part of our present and future funding as we continue to grow and expand our gardens, events and programs.  We are also committed to continuing our tradition as a Garden for All and launched a free entry program when we introduced admission fees. Thank you for your support and joining us in our mission to provide a welcome space for all while nurturing John and Lilla’s living legacy of plants and wildlife habitat.  

Leach Garden highly recommends all guests be up to date with vaccinations and boosters. This policy is subject to change based on Multnomah County guidelines.
- Facemasks are optional on garden trails.
- Be mindful of others wearing masks and maintain distance.
- Please  wear a mask in our gift shop to protect our volunteers.
- If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms please postpone your visit to the garden. Please note that some indoor private events may require masking.

Thank you for your interest in visiting Leach Garden. The Upper Garden expansion and new Main Entry have increased access to the garden, however, the topography is challenging and the hillside that connects the Upper and Lower Gardens is not wheelchair accessible. Please click here to view our ADA accessible trails in the garden. The Upper Garden provides the opportunity to see much of the plantings in the area, and to view the Manor House, creek, and riparian area—but the paths to the riparian area, pedestrian bridge and south of Johnson Creek (currently closed) are not wheelchair accessible. Some strollers can navigate the pathway to the riparian area located at the far east side of the East Terrace. Additionally, there are two ADA permit parking areas in the Manor House driveway providing access to the Manor House, Gift Shop, and East Terrace. If you would like to use the permit parking please visit the Visitor Services booth at the Main Entrance.

From SE 122nd Ave turn east on SE Claybourne St. The Main parking lot is the first right, and a second Visitor parking lot is just a bit further on the left. For wedding clients and during special events, there is an overflow parking lot further down SE 122nd Ave across the 122nd Ave bridge (6739 SE 122nd) and a safe, off-road public pathway from the 122nd Ave bridge up to the Main Entrance.

There are four handicapped permit parking spaces near the Main Entrance. The garden is not fully accessible due to its location on a steep hill. If you want to use the handicapped permit parking to visit the lower garden, Manor House and Gift Shop please ask for assistance at the Visitor Services booth at the Main Entrance.

Please respect our neighbors and do not park on residential streets. Be prepared to return if the parking lots are full.

We encourage arriving to the garden by alternative modes of transportation. Bicycles: There are bicycle stands near the Main Entrance and Garden Office. Please be mindful of plantings and please keep pathways accessible as you lock up your bicycle.

Riding bicycles, scooters, skateboards or other similar modes of transportation is not allowed inside the Garden.

Thank you for asking! All groups larger than 10 must schedule their visit in advance.  For all group visit questions, please contact JoAnn Vrilakas or call 503-389-0149.

We encourage you to bring your water bottle, but we ask you to limit any other food to light snacks and that you pack it in, pack it out to help us keep our wildlife wild. Watch for special picnic opportunities on our event page.

The garden trails are intended for easy strolling. We do not permit jogging inside the garden.

We are pleased to offer a variety of options to rent the garden for your private event.

Please contact our Rental Manager, Kit Cummins if you have questions. Check out our RENT page and Rental FAQs below for more information.

Please see our full photography policy

‍Visitors are welcome to take pictures of the garden for personal use with their own device such as a smartphone or small camera. Please be mindful of your surroundings, and follow all garden etiquette when taking 'selfies' or photos of plant specimens. Garden etiquette requires respecting the ability of other visitors to safely enjoy the garden as well as respecting the grounds themselves.

All Portrait photography and filming requires a fee and is available by advance arrangement only. Drop-in photo sessions of any kind are not allowed. If no advance arrangement for photography has been made, you may be asked to leave the garden.

Portrait photography is defined as any photography that comprises a photo shoot or has the appearance of a photo shoot, regardless if it is amateur (unpaid services, does not have a client fee), or professional/commercial (has a client fee). This includes photography with or without models or products. Examples of Portrait photography include but are not limited to: Engagement, Wedding, Graduation and Maternity photos.

Reservations for Portrait Photography during public open hours are now available. We review requests for Photo and Film Shoot rentals during public hours on a case by case basis, subject to availability. If you would like to inquire about a Photo Shoot reservation, please contact us at info@leachgarden.org. Please note that the scheduling team has limited hours; we will return messages as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

To protect plants, wildlife and people, the Leach Botanical Garden does not allow dogs or other pets. For more information on the science behind this policy, please check out Metro's resource page HERE.

ADA Service Animals are allowed. Service animals are highly trained to take a specific action to assist a person with a disability. Note: Emotional support animals are not ADA Service animals and are not allowed.

Gift shop hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Gift Shop is closed in January.

We are accepting a limited number of volunteer applications at this time for gardening, gift shop, ranger, and tour guide positions. Please contact our Volunteer Manager, Annie Winn. Thank you for your interest in volunteering!