Sitting on the historic Johnson Creek in Portland Oregon is a treasure waiting for you to discover: the lovely wooded Leach Botanical Garden. Featuring an aerial walkway that leads through the trees, a magical stone cabin and waves of flowers that change with the seasons, the Leach Botanical Garden is a must visit for nature lovers.
John And Lilla's Home In The Sleepy Hollow
Photo via the Leach Botanical Garden Facebook Page.
John and Lilla Leach were an adventurous couple that loved making botanical excursions into the Oregon wilderness. During these excursions Lilla Leach discovered five different plant species that had previously been unknown to science and was given the American Award For Botany. Later in 1950 she was awarded the Eloise Payne Luquer Bronze medal by the Garden Clubs of America.
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In the 1930's John and Lilla bought their property on the historic Johnson Creek in Portland Oregon, and built a charming stone cabin on the south side of the creek. By 1936 they had built a new home on the north side of the creek and began landscaping and planting the property.
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John and Lilla enjoyed their wooded property and lived there until John passed away in 1972. In their wills they had specified that their home and property should be donated to the city of Portland as a museum and botanical park so others could enjoy it as well.
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Today the Leach Garden Friends maintains and enhances the park, preserving John and Lilla's botanical legacy.
Forest Bathing At The Leach Botanical Gardens
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The gardens are located at 6704 SE 122nd Ave. in Portland Oregon though the main entrance to the gardens is on SE Claybourne Street. There is limited parking so visitors are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance.
This park is one that deserves to be visited each and every season as the garden is always changing. In fall the changing leaves are gorgeous, and in spring and summer there are new waves of colorful flowers to greet each season.
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New additions are always being made to the park and botanical collection. One recent addition is the tree walk, which leads visitors through the treetops and gives people an aerial view of the gardens.
Leach Botanical Garden Information
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Because of Covid-19, masks must be worn at the Leach Botanical Gardens. It should also be noted that no dogs are allowed on the property.
Map via the Leach Botanical Garden website.
- Location: The gardens are located at 6704 SE 122nd Ave. in Portland Oregon though the main entrance to the gardens is on SE Claybourne Street.
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased here.
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Stay up to date with the current hours and price of admission here. You can also learn more about the Leach Botanical Garden here. Don't forget to check out the Leach Botanical Garden Facebook page.
Have you ever visited the Leach Botanical Garden? Have you been on the tree walk yet? Let us know in a comment and tag the friends and family you want to go with this year!
