INCLUDES VIDEO | Here’s what you missed, if you didn’t get to the Leach Botanical Garden Spring Equinox Fair in outer East Portland …
Located in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood, the Leach Botanical Garden Arbor is the nexus of activities for their Spring Equinox Fair.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, and major renovation work in the Leach Botanical Garden (LBG) Upper Meadow, there haven’t been many large public events at this outer East Portland nature spot.
But, on March 19, it came to life as the Leach Botanical Garden Spring Equinox Garden Fair took place.
Visitors tour the “Grand Staircase” that leads from the lower to the upper garden.
Even though the Manor House and Carriage House Gift Shop were undergoing renovations, that didn’t affect the event – all of the action was in the Upper Meadow.
“We’re having a great time at our Spring Equinox Nature Fair, today,” welcomed LBG Operations Manager Lisa Santo.
Enjoying the warmth of the Arbor Fire Pit are Molly and Linnea Cassell, and Trip and Arlo Jennings, who came to visit from up north in the Cully neighborhood.
“We’re keeping the theme around environmental education, recycling, reuse, and how to be good to the environment – kind of a lead-up to Earth Day in April,” Santo told East Portland News.
“This is really what Leach Botanical Garden’s mission is all about: Educating people about the environment, and how we can keep beautiful places like the Garden thriving, and welcoming for people to come and have some time in nature.”
Enjoy watching this video of the Leach Botanical Garden’s Spring Equinox Garden Fair:
This fair was open to the public, with free admission for all. A number of families celebrated the spring equinox by exploring the garden.
Some explored the Upper Meadow. Others took a stroll along the Aerial Tree Walk.
In the Arbor, guests enjoyed a variety of activities and learned more about how to keep their planet green.
This couple enjoys the view from the Leach Botanical Garden Aerial Tree Walk.
There were activities for kids, and tool sharpening for the avid garden hobbiests.
As well, OSU Extension Service Master Gardener™ volunteers were on hand to answer gardening questions.
Taking a moment for a photo at the fair are LBG Operations Manager Lisa Santo and Volunteer Manager Annie Winn.
“We really want people to feel they are welcome here,” offered LBG Volunteer Manager Annie Winn.
“Many people are discovering the Garden for the first time, and learning that it’s a wonderful place to bring their family and friends,” observed Winn.
Karen Chao, Environmental Education with Portland Parks & Recreation provides fun activities with the kids.
Hard at work in the Sharpening-4-U booth is Harmonie Medlin-Bennett and Jesse Bennett.
“The garden has a lot to offer, apart from such events as this, and we hope many of our first-time guests become regular visitors, and perhaps even members of Leach Garden Friends!” Winn suggested.
Learn more about Leach Botanical Garden by visiting their official website: CLICK HERE. And, see many of their events listed in outer East Portland’s best Community Calendar: CLICK HERE.
On our Front Page: Leach Botanical Garden volunteer Carlyn Madden greets guests coming in the Arbor with fresh popcorn!
© 2023 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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