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.

Areas of Leach Botanical Garden are accessible according to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; however, the entirety of the Garden is not fully ADA accessible. The Pollinator Garden, Tree Walk and Arbor are all easily accessible from the Upper Garden parking area. View the Garden's ADA pathways >>

For visitors wanting to visit the lower garden and gift shop there are 2 parking spots inside the lower garden entrance. To access these spots stop by the Visitor Services booth and let them know you would like to visit the lower garden.

Most of the Garden can be accessible with a stroller, but be aware that there are uneven pathways and many stairs connecting the Upper Garden and the Historic Lower Garden. If you need assistance please let our Visitor Services staff know and they will be happy to help.

The main parking lot is at the end of the Claybourne Street/driveway. A smaller COMPACT CARS ONLY lot is on the right as you come in.

If our upper parking lots fill, we will open our lower Creekside lot located at 6739 SE122nd. You may drop off your guests, strollers, etc. adjacent to our front gate entry before parking in our Creekside lot.

Public Transit: The garden is a short walk from the #73 (122nd and Foster) and the #10 bus lines. Plan your TriMet trip >>

‍Alternatives For Visitors With Disabilities: Ride Connection provides information about transportation services in the Portland area. Reach them at rideconnection.org or (503) 226-0700.

All groups larger than 10 please schedule your visit in advance.  For all group visit questions, please contact the Education Department or call 503-406-8318.

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. More information about picnicking here >>

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 Rental FAQs 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, 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.

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.

We are accepting a limited number of volunteer applications at this time for gardening, gift shop, ranger, and tour guide positions. Click here more information about volunteering.