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.  

- Please stay on the pathways. Walking in the planted areas can damage tender plants.
- No smoking or vaping
- Only trained service animals are allowed. No other pets are allowed, including emotional support animals. Learn More →
- Bicycles, skateboards, scooters and similar vehicles are not permitted on garden paths or trails
- Do not pick flowers or seeds - they are part of the garden's collection
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
- Professional photography (portraits, wedding) is not permitted without advance notice. Photography Policy →

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.

Guided tours accommodate 10-12 participants per tour and are available year round, weather permitting. Larger groups can book multiple tours. Tours typically last 60–90 minutes. Advance scheduling is required.

Guided tours accommodate 10-12 participants per tour and are available year round, weather permitting. Larger groups can book multiple tours. Tours typically last 60–90 minutes. Advance scheduling is required.

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.

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.

Visitors are welcome to take pictures of the garden for personal use with their own device such as a smartphone or small camera.
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Tripods are not allowed in the garden during open hours. Members may bring a tripod during member hours 9-10 AM Wednesday & Saturday.
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Portrait*, professional, commercial photography, or any photography that comprises a photo shoot or has the appearance of a photo shoot requires advance arrangement and may require an additional fee.
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Drones are not allowed in the Garden.

Professional photo shoot pricing
Photography pricing during open hours
- One (1) person w/photographer $50/hr
- Up to 6 people w/photographer $100/hr
Additional fees may be charged depending on the type of photo shoot

Photography pricing when the Garden is closed
- Starting @ $300/hr for up to 20 people
- Starting @$300/hr for South Side shoot
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Please view our photography map before your visit. Feel free to call Visitor Services if you have  questions . Commercial photography, indoor photography and pictures outside of the photo map must be prearranged with our rentals team. Contact rentals@leachgarden.org or call 971-832-9081 for questions and booking information.

Pets, including cats, birds, small animals, and emotional support animals as well as animals in backpacks are not allowed in the garden. Only ADA certified service animals may be brought into the garden.
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Dogs in the garden:
Birds and other animals think of dogs—even the friendliest ones— as predators. Animals have a keen sense of sight, smell, and hearing; The presence of a dog, even on a leash, will disrupt their normal behaviors. In natural areas where dogs are not allowed, people get to see and enjoy more wildlife. Metro’s science team reviewed 54 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, as well as 23 professional reports and the research is consistent and compelling: Dogs negatively impact wildlife.

- The presence of dogs causes wildlife to move away, temporarily or permanently reducing the amount of available habitat in which to feed, breed and rest.
- Animals are alarmed and cease their routine activities. This increases the amount of energy they use while simultaneously reducing their opportunities to feed.
- Repeated stress causes long-term impacts on wildlife including reduced reproduction and growth, suppressed immune system functioning, and increased vulnerability to disease and parasites.
- Dogs transmit diseases (such as canine distemper and rabies) to and from wildlife.
- Dog waste pollutes water and transmits harmful parasites and diseases to people.
- Stress hormones may cause male songbirds to reduce their territorial defense, females to reduce feeding of their young, nestlings to have reduced weight and poor immune systems, and adult birds to abandon nests.
- Even the scent of dog urine or feces can trigger wildlife to avoid an area. Therefore, the impacts of dog presence can linger long after the dog is gone, even days later, potentially affecting a large number of wildlife species including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
*Excerpted and adapted from METRO'S PET POLICY

What is a Service Animal?
Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are NOT considered service animals under the ADA and are not allowed inside the garden.  

In addition, if a service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, staff may require that the animal be removed from the premises, in accordance with ADA rules and regulations.

For more information on this, please visit: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html

General Admission and Ticketed Events
Garden Admission is  nonrefundable and non transferable.  You may exchange tickets for a different date or request a pass for a future visit by contacting Visitor Services or by calling 503-208-6030 48 hours prior to your scheduled visit date.

Classes and Workshops
Refunds are available for cancellations made at least 10 business days prior to class or workshop. Classes and workshops are non transferable and non exchangeable.

Leach Botanical Garden reserves the right to cancel classes and workshops due to inclement weather or unexpected instructor cancellations. If a class or workshop is canceled, attendees will be notified by email or phone as soon as possible. This policy is applicable for all garden sponsored classes and workshops.

Events Hosted by Outside Organizations
Please refer to the organization's website event listing for their cancellation and refund policies.