SMALLEST Park in the World
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pdx.geo
N 45° 30.968 W 122° 40.398
10T E 525516 N 5040341
Mill Ends Park is the smallest park in Portland, Oregon. And the smallest in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records, which first granted it this recognition in 1971. The park is a circle 2 ft across, with a total area of 452 sq inches.
Waymark Code: WM8ZTY
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 06/06/2010
Views: 32
According to local history, Dick Fagan returned from World War II in 1946 to resume his journalistic career with the Oregon Journal. His office, on the second floor above Front Street (now Naito Parkway), gave him a view of the busy street, as well as a hole in the median where a light pole was to be placed. When no pole arrived to fill in this hole, Fagan decided to take matters into his own hands and to plant flowers.
Fagan wrote a popular column called Mill Ends, referring to the rough, irregular pieces of lumber left over at lumber mills. He used this column to describe the park and the various "events" that occurred there. The park was dedicated on St. Patrick's Day in 1948 since Fagan was a good Irishman. He continued to write about activities in the park until he died in 1969. Many of his columns described the lives of a group of leprechauns, who established the "only leprechaun colony west of Ireland" in the park. After Mill Ends officially became a city park on St. Patrick’s Day in 1976, the park continued to be the site of St. Patrick's Day festivities.
Over the years, contributions have been made to the park, such as the small swimming pool and diving board for butterflies, many statues, a miniature Ferris wheel (which was brought in by a normal-sized crane), and the occasional flying saucer. The events held here include concerts by Clan Macleay Pipe Band, picnics, and rose plantings by the Junior Rose Festival Court.
The park had to be moved temporarily in 2006 due to construction on Naito Parkway. It was replaced on March 16, 2007 in true St. Patrick's Day style with the Royal Rosarians, bagpipers, and the Fagan family in attendance.
Type of documentation of superlative status: Guiness Book of World Records
Location of coordinates: Intersection
Web Site: Not listed
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