Leach Botanical Garden funding woes lead to layoffs and service cuts

INCLUDES 10 EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE PHOTOS | Here, in the 102nd article in this publication about this beloved outer East Portland place – the only botanical garden in the greater Portland area – officials say why there is “an immediate funding gap and cash shortage of $450,000” …

Here’s the first of our archive photos from articles about Leach Botanical Garden. May 2006: The sign pointing the way to their Children’s Nature Fair.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Having covered Leach Botanical Garden (LBC) continuously for 20 years, it came as a shock to learn via a press release that its operating nonprofit organization, Leach Garden Friends (LGF) was cash strapped to the point of “implementing immediate reductions to programs, staffing, and operating hours”.

Preserving the legacy of botanist Lilla Leach, and her pharmacist and builder John, their property along Johnson Creek they named “Sleepy Hollow”, located in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood has been owned by Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and has been operated for more than 40 years by LGF.

March 2007: Plans for developing the Garden are underway in this meeting.

But according to information provided, the loss of $350,000 in City of Portland support in 2025 is leading LBG to:

Effective immediately:

- Layoff (50%) 11 staff members; reduce hours for remaining staff, moving from 15.7 to 6.7 FTE (Full Time Equivalent), beginning Feb 22.
- Reduce garden operating hours to Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m, to 4 p.m. beginning February. 26
- Cut horticulture services back to basic maintenance only.
- Reduce public programming by 90%.

September 2009: An elegant afternoon at this English High Tea party on the Patio.

Nonprofit clarifies budget shortfall
East Portland News asked LGF Development Director Jenn Woodward to clarify the budget shortfall from their standpoint.

“From July 2022 through June 2025 we had a contract with Portland Parks and Recreation that included pass-through funding of $350,000 annually; but, as of July 1, 2025 our contract no longer included pass- through funding,” Woodward explained.

“We did receive a one-time grant of $100,000 from the City of Portland that came through Portland Parks and Recreation this past year that the Portland City Council voted on, adding this to the budget, for July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026,” she continued.

November 2011: Leach 30th Anniversary party.

“We began talking about the funding cut last July, with info about the reduction in support in our end of year fundraising,” recalled Woodward. “We were hoping to receive a grant from PCEF (Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund) in November 2025 that would have helped us bridge our funding gap; however, we did not receive that grant.

“We have been told to try and get an appointment with the Mayor to discuss potential city funding in the next budget cycle that starts on July 1, 2026,” Woodward acknowledged. “Portland Parks and City Council members have told us this is the best path forward to ask for additional funding support.”

May 2015: LGF Executive Director David Porter shows a graphic illustration of the plans for the Garden’s Phase 2 Development Project.

From Portland Parks’ perspective
When we questioned PP&R’s Public Information Officer Mark Ross, he stated that their Bureau recognizes LBC as an important community asset for East Portland, and all of Portland: “Preserving public access to the Garden is a priority for the City, and its value to surrounding communities is not in question.”

Ross then clarified the relationship between the Parks Bureau and Leach Botanical Garden:

In 2022, the City of Portland, PP&R, and LGF entered into a Site License Agreement that reflected a shared goal of establishing a sustainable long-term operating model for Leach Botanical Garden.

Under this framework, LGF assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations, and was authorized to generate and retain earned revenue, while the City provided defined time-limited transition support approved by Council.

The Agreement was designed to gradually shift the Garden toward financial independence and away from ongoing City operating passthroughs, consistent with Council direction and the structure of the license.

Ross concluded, “We are committed to working collaboratively with City Council and Leach Garden Friends to explore viable, policy-aligned solutions that preserve the Garden and its benefits for the community, consistent with Council direction and available resources.”

May 2017: At this Children’s Nature Fair, LGF volunteer Ron Goodwin hosts the popular, yet soon-to-be-banned, Banana Slug Races.

Who is really in charge? Who is ultimately responsible?
The “what” of this situation is clear, the “why” is shrouded in mystery because no one, who has been elected to public office, is in charge.

Before the installation of the “all new and improved” form of Portland’s city government, one could ask the Parks Commissioner at the time, like Nick Fish, Amanda Fritz, or lastly Dan Ryan – and get clear answers as to why the Garden and LGF is now in dire financial straits.

But with “Commissioner” duties no longer part of any Portland City Council member’s work, it seems that this oversight obligation of PP&R falls on the unelected Deputy City Administrator Priya Dhanapal, who answers to the unelected City Administrator, Raymond C. Lee III.

September 2016: Officials and dignitaries dig in at the groundbreaking for the Garden’s Phase 2 Development Project.

In the Parks Bureau, in July 2025, Sonia Schmanski began serving as the “interim director” of PP&R, replacing former director Adena Long, who departed after her leadership and budget management were reportedly questioned.

July 2020:An end of the partially completed Aerial Tree Walk is in the foreground, and the steel framework for The Arbor is in the background as the the Garden’s Phase 2 Development Project nears completion.

Finally, at the Garden, from September 2010 until his retirement in mid-January 2021, David Porter served as LGF’s Executive Director, where he oversaw major projects like developing the Upper Garden, The Arbor, and the Aerial Tree Walk.

However, during the five years since Porter’s departure, LGF has had three Executive Directors: Mae Lin Plummer, Ben Shockey, and Renee Myers. In February, LGF announced that Eric Vines became its interim Executive Director.

July 2022: Composer and musician Deena T. Grossman debuts her album, “Becoming Durga” by performing in the Manor House Patio.

Asked to promote the Garden

In an outreach effort, LGF wrote to area news editors:

“We invite journalists to explore feature stories about the Garden’s long-standing positive impact on the community, its role in preserving historical landmarks in Southeast Portland, the importance of accessible green spaces in underserved East Portland neighborhoods, and its positive economic impact to regional tourism as Portland’s Botanical Garden.”

Over the past two decades, East Portland News has covered, written, and produced 101 articles (and dozens of videos) featuring events at, and projects of, Leach Botanical Garden. Our Community Calendar has promoted 998 individual events as well.

December 2025: Visitors take a stroll on the Aerial Tree Walk during the Winter Solstice event.

We’ve been doing our part. Will you do yours – by advocating for funding and becoming a donor?

Fundraising now in full swing
LGF is striving to raise $50,000 per month, over the next 5 months, to “keep the gates open” as they put it, through June 30. CLICK HERE to open their “Donation” page.

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