Leach Botanical Garden

Public Garden
Photo of the Leach Botanical Garden. There are giant trees with bright green leaves and a walking bridge in the background.

About Leach Botanical Garden

Leach Botanical Garden is a unique urban gem offering a place to explore and enjoy nature in outer Southeast Portland. The garden is situated on a free-flowing creek and features an aerial tree walk, a four-season pollinator garden, a variety of unique collections, including ferns, camellias, and spring ephemerals, meandering pathways, and many plants native to the Pacific Northwest. Leach Botanical Garden is committed to providing positive experiences to the diverse community upon which it relies for support.

Visit the official Leach Botanical Garden website for complete venue details. See all Garden etiquette in FAQs.

A montage of photos from Leach Botanical Garden in outer southeast Portland.
Year acquired
1972
Size in acres
17.35
History

Leach Botanical Garden is a unique urban gem offering a place to explore and enjoy nature in outer Southeast Portland. The garden is situated on a free-flowing creek and features an aerial tree walk, a four-season pollinator garden, a variety of unique collections, including ferns, camellias, and spring ephemerals, meandering pathways, and many plants native to the Pacific Northwest. 

Lilla and John Leach purchased the garden’s original 4.17 acres on Johnson Creek in 1932 and created a home and garden they called "Sleepy Hollow." Lilla was a well-respected botanist who found several plants previously unknown to western science, and John was a very civic-minded pharmacist. Lilla and John left their beloved home to Portland Parks & Recreation with the stipulation that it become a public garden within 10 years, or the property was to go to the YMCA. A group of concerned citizens lobbied the City to keep the property, but the transfer to the YMCA was set to take place when Portland Commissioner Charles Jordan decided to look at the garden before signing it away. After visiting the garden, he called it a “little jewel.” A plan was created to manage the garden with a non-profit partner organization, Leach Garden Friends. Leach Botanical Garden opened to the public in 1983. 

Reservations available

  • Meeting room
  • Wedding site

Make a reservation through the customer service center

Park Location or Entrance

6704 SE 122nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97236

Open hours

Winter Hours through March 26th, 2024

Monday and Tuesday: Closed to the public
Wednesday through Sunday: 10am to 4pm

Visit the official Leach Botanical Garden website for complete venue details.

Park amenities/activities

Gift Shop
Tours (Guided)
Visitor Attraction
Paths (Unpaved)
Fountain
No Dogs Allowed

Neighborhood

City section

East