Long a major attraction in Southeast Portland, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden – on S.E. 28th Avenue, just north of Woodstock Boulevard and just west of Reed College – has recently made some changes in its operation.
Since 1950, the Garden has been operated through a partnership between the Portland Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society (ARS), and the Garden’s owner – Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R).
This spring, the Portland Chapter of ARS signed a new site license with PP&R that transfers significant responsibilities for the care of the garden and its facilities from PP&R to the Portland Chapter of ARS.
The new lease means the Portland Chapter ARS can now provide the majority of the horticultural needs there, and will employ one part-time and two full-time gardeners. Eight other year-round staff members will support the garden through fundraising, guest services, facilities maintenance, and programs.
As a consequence of these higher maintenance costs, visitors will find the entrance fee slightly higher – $8.95 for adults, and $5.95 for students (ages 6-21) – but still FREE for children 5 and younger (accompanied by a responsible adult). And Monday entrance will no longer be free.
Management at the garden has provided THE BEE with additional admission information and access options: Garden accessibility is made possible by a Community Access Pass run by the Portland Chapter of the ARS. (It applies specifically to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, and is different from the Discount Access Pass run by PP&R)
And “pay-what-you-wish” admission is available for individuals and families taking advantage of any of the following programs:
Oregon Trail Card / SNAP EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer)WIC (Women, Infants and Children)TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families),REF/RCA (Refugee Cash Assistance)Tri Met Honored Citizen FastPass
Showing a card or identification, from among any of these, allows free admission for two adults and four students (ages 6 to 21), and children five years and younger.
For those who have a library card from Clackamas County Libraries, a pass for the garden can be checked out at a library branch. And Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden will be offering fully-waived admission on October 10, 2024, in observance of World Mental Health Day.
Workshops? Yes….a variety of workshops, ranging in cost from $20 to $40, are offered in the Garden. Just during August, the available workshops are:
August 3rd: “What’s New In the Garden” – a Family walk for children and their parents or guardians to explore the ever-changing plants and animals in the garden environment
August 4th and 18th: “Sunday Morning Yoga” – yoga suitable for all abilities with Quinn Schuff, a local instructor
August 5th: “Guided Meditation Walk” – led by the members of the Portland Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple
August 14th: “Vibrational Sound Bathing” – a unique experience led by Graciela Teofield, a seasoned practitioner
August 15th: “Gardener Walkabout” – highlights seasonal changes, cultivation practices, and answer guests’ individual questions about gardening in the Pacific Northwest
August 19th: “Plein Air Class” by Christine Joy – for both new and experienced watercolorists, focusing on painting water
August 22nd, at 6 p.m., and August 25th at 10:30 a.m.: Body Awareness in Contemporary Movement, $40 per person
To learn more about any of these, go online to – https://tinyurl.com/28r2v2wd
Garden entrance and “Extended Hours” experiences are free to members of Friends of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden – to which the membership fee starts at the $40 dual pass (for two people).
When the rhododendrons are no longer in bloom, the garden continues to be a place of beauty, rest and renewal in nature. At check-in, a treasure hunt checklist is available. A variety of CSRG T-shirts and other souvenir items are now for sale at the entrance.
For more details call 503/267-7509, or visit – http://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org
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