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Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
Mill Ends Park
Emilly Prado
Emilly Prado is a writer, award-winning journalist and consultant living in Portland. Read More
Portland is home to more than 200 parks and natural areas spanning well over 11,000 acres (4,450 hectares). While the city is often noted for having the largest urban forest in the United States (Forest Park), it’s also home to the world’s smallest: Mill Ends Park. (Fun fact: This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot is often mistakenly called “Mills End Park” — even by locals!) Cyclists and motorists zip by this urban park, located on a median strip in the heart of Southwest Naito Parkway by the waterfront, every day. It’s “disguised” as a traffic circle, according to the Oregon Encyclopedia, and occupies a tiny area — precisely 24 inches (61 cm) in diameter and 452 square inches (0.29 sq m) — between lanes of traffic and a crosswalk. Even at such a small scale, Mill Ends Park packs a big personality and has been doing so since 1946. But how did the park come to be? The answer depends on who you ask.
History of Mill Ends Park
One tale suggests that journalist and World War II veteran Dick Fagan was gazing out of the window of his new Portland office at the concrete vista below when he noticed a small hole right in the middle of the busy thoroughfare. At first, Fagan ignored the unsightly hole, knowing a light pole would soon be installed in the unsightly place. But then, plans for the light pole were stalled. Weeds and trash gathered in its place, so Fagan took matters into his own hands, cleaning and planting flowers instead.
Another legend says Fagan, who is of Irish descent, witnessed a leprechaun digging the hole. Intrigued by the promise of three wishes, Fagan reportedly captured the fellow and wished for a park before letting him free. Because Fagan did not distinguish the size of his desired park, the trickster erected a leprechaun-size park.
Origin stories aside, Fagan named the park after his Oregon Journal column, Mill Ends, which — like its namesake for leftover lumber — detailed odd and irregular tidbits of information and interesting stories. For decades to come, Fagan would provide updates about the park, including those from the perspective of Patrick O’Toole (resident and head leprechaun of the park). According to Fagan, the park was home to the only colony of leprechauns west of Ireland. He was the only person who could see them.
World’s Smallest Park
In 1971, the park earned an official listing in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest park (though Fagan had billed it as such since its beginnings). Fagan passed away in 1969, just two years prior, but his family and Portlanders collectively kept his legacy alive, hosting ceremonies and St. Patrick’s Day festivities at the park. Naturally, the City of Portland declared Mill Ends an official city park on St. Patrick’s Day in 1976. It has been jointly maintained by Portland Parks and Recreation and enthusiastic community members ever since.
In 1971, the park earned an official listing in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest park.
Mill Ends Park has thrived through many changes — much like the community around it — in the more than half-century since its founding. Its topography continually morphs depending on its most recent visitors. Mill Ends Park has hosted snail races and oddities such as UFOs, a tiny swimming pool and a charming miniature Ferris wheel. It’s often decked out with themed décor around major holidays.
The park survived a short-term move while Naito Parkway was under construction in 2006, landing in its new home just seven feet from its original location. In 2021, Mill Ends Park closed again for sidewalk and bike lane construction in Naito and has since reopened in another new location — this time six inches away from its previous residence. These days, it bears its very own official Portland Parks sign.
More Portland Parks
There's green spaces, urban parks and nature places all around the city.
Forest Park
Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species.
Mount Tabor Park
Mount Tabor Park, a century-old public space, is known for its open-air reservoirs, forested hiking trails, sunset picnics, epic city views, its annual Adult Soapbox Derby, and, yes, its volcanic cinder cone.
Washington Park
Beyond picnics and verdant strolls, Washington Park offers up a zoo, two museums, a spectacular rose garden, an arboretum, one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the world, all lined by one of the largest urban forests, Forest Park.
Although the title of the world’s smallest park has been challenged by other cities, Mill Ends Park remains the champion. Stop by on St. Patrick’s Day, or any other day, to see what’s in store. Whichever new monument or leprechaun has arrived, a trip to Mill Ends is sure to be a wonderfully curious and majestic visit.
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