The World's Smallest Park Is Here In Oregon And It's An Unforgettable Adventure
By Christy Articola|Published November 03, 2022
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Christy Articola
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Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
Have you ever wondered about the location of the world’s smallest park? Well, you might not be surprised to find out that it’s in Oregon – and in Portland, to be exact. When people say “Keep Portland Weird,” this is certainly the type of thing to which they are referring. This weird little park is special and charming, and is one of the many cool things that makes The Rose City so amazing. Read on to learn more about it.
Mill Ends Park is a very small park. It's contained within a circle that is just two feet across, and the total area of this tiny park is just 452 square inches.
This park was originally supposed to be a site for a light pole, but when no light pole came, Dick Fagan, a newspaper columnist, planted flowers in the hole and named it after his column in the paper. That was back in 1948.
In his column, he said he looked out the window of his office and he saw a leprechaun digging a hole. He went out and caught the leprechaun, and was given a wish. His wish was for a park of his own, but because he didn't say how big of a park he wanted, the leprechaun made him this tiny one.
Since then, the city has cared for the park along with the local residents that love it. Because of its location, sometimes the tree in it needs to be replanted. Flowers are also planted in the park seasonally.
Many unusual items have appeared in the park over the years including toy soliders participating in Occupy Wall Street, a tiny Ferris wheel, a swimming pool for butterflies, miniature roses, and more.
And of course, you'll want to have your photo taken by the world's smallest park. This park is so special - your visit to it will be something that you will never forget!
This park in Portland is worth a visit. Not only can you say that you’ve been to the smallest park in Portland, and in Oregon, and in the United States – but when you visit Mill Ends Park, you will have been to the smallest park in the whole world!
