INCLUDES ACTIVITY VIDEO | Discover why people came to outer East Portland’s Leach Botanical Garden to celebrate the Winter Solstice …
Guests enter Leach Botanical Garden for their second Winter Solstice event sessions of the day.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In both their Upper and Lower Garden, Leach Botanical Garden was the destination for 337 guests on December 21 for its Winter Solstice event.
An occasional drizzle didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of folks who were bundled up for the weather – as they took in the calming, contemplative beauty of the forest along the Aerial Tree Walk.
Take our fun video tour of this enjoyable event:
Then, the guests walked down to the Manor House to warm up inside — exploring nature crafts while being serenaded by the Celtic folk tunes of The Switchlings.
In The Arbor, it’s Leach’s Program Manager Jami LeBaron – leading the “Nature Rubbing Art” craft table.
“We love celebrating the milestones of the year through seasonal celebrations around the solstices and equinoxes,” Leach Botanical Garden Program Director Jami LeBaron told East Portland News.
“The Winter Solstice seems to have a special place in our staff’s heart, with the promise of longer days and new blooms ‘just around the corner’ even it it cold and gray,” she said.
Under the cover of The Arbor, visitors learn about nature programs, and participate in crafts.
Also in The Arbor – from down the Valley in Eugene, Matthew Robinson, The Traveling Typist, is composing a poem for a guest.
A family enjoys a stroll on the Aerial Tree Walk.
“Our guests tell us that this a good time to step away from the chaos of the world (or even a messy house) and spend a little time outdoors – connecting with nature in an immersive way.
“Leach offers itself for reflection, and gratitude for the people and things in our lives that make it worth living,” observed LeBaron. “We certainly are feeling gratitude for this special oasis of birds, creeks, and trees, as well as all the people who care for it.”
In the Manor House, families enjoy crafts and other activities.
Throughout the Soltice celebration, guests enjoy freshly-baked cookies and hot beverages.
At the “Gratitude Tree” we found the Rubuttom family, from East Vancouver.
The best time for the staff, LeBaron remarked, is after the day has ended – giving them time to pause to read the notes left on their “Gratitude Tree”, near the main entrance.
“Our visitors wrote that were grateful for their family, dogs, health, potatoes, swimming pools, yeast, snow, sobriety, their pet lizard, their community, nature, and more – it’s always such a joy to read these personal notes,” smiled Lebaron. “We hope our community enjoyed the celebration, and felt recharged to step into the New Year.”
Yes! Leach Botanical Garden does have wintertime activities: CLICK HERE to see their website.
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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