Garden Policies

Picnicking at the Garden

We offer seasonal use of the Far Meadow Tent or the Covered Arbor for picnics that accompany Garden Tours. Reservations are available for one hour only. Chairs and tables are included. Please note: Stand-alone picnics are not available due to our limited facilities.

• Please book your reservation at least one (1) month in advance
• Far Meadow Tent fee: $25 April - Oct
• Covered Arbor fee:  $50 Nov - March

For more information or to schedule a picnic contact info@leachgarden.org

Leave your Pet at Home

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

Cancellations, Refunds, and Exchange Policies

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.

During inclement weather, please check our website for any garden closure updates. In the case of a garden closure, ticket holders may request a refund or a pass for a future visit by contacting Visitor Services or by calling 503-208-6030 within 48 hours of ticket date.

Includes Garden Wide Special Events like Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox, Lecture Series, Winter Solstice Events, Kids Concert Series, Nature Fair and Trick or Treat Walk, Bumble Bee Hikes, Volunteer and Staff Led Garden Tours, Tree Talk and Papermaking, and Under the Canopy Concerts.

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. Refunds will be issued via check; please look for an email from our Operations Manager to confirm your address and refund.

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 for events such as the Cascadia Composers Crossing Path's Concert.

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