August 1, 2019

Today, Nick was honored to speak at the groundbreaking of a major improvement project at the Leach Botanical Gardens in East Portland.

The garden expansion includes new features like an aerial tree walk, a pollinator garden, a fireplace terrace, new paths, and over a thousand new plants.

At the groundbreaking, Nick said, “Leach Botanical Garden is East Portland’s hidden gem – for now. But thanks to this new investment, it won’t be hidden much longer.”

The project will transform a local treasure into world-class destination, joining other famous Portland gardens like the Japanese Garden, Lan Su Chinese Garden, International Rose Test Garden, and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

The non-profit Leach Garden Friends raised over $1.26 million in donations to support the project. Other funding partners include Portland Parks & Recreation through Systems Development Charges (fees developers pay on new construction), Prosper Portland, and Metro.

Special thanks to Leach Garden Friends Executive Director David Porter and the Leach Friends Board of Directors; to Commissioner Amanda Fritz for her deep commitment to Leach during her tenure as Parks Commissioner; and a very special thank you to the late Charles Jordan who famously called Leach “a place like no other” and saved it from being sold by the City.