You might miss it if you blink. Sitting quietly in the middle of a street in Portland, Oregon, USA, is a park so tiny you can cross it in a single step. Mill Ends Park, measuring just two feet in diameter, holds the title of the smallest park in the world. And despite its size, locals treat it like a treasured landmark.
Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, Mill Ends Park has gained global attention and become one of the most unusual and beloved attractions of Portland.
How a Forgotten Hole Became a Park
The story of Mill Ends Park began back in 1948. The city dug a small hole meant for a light pole, but the pole was never installed. Over time, grass began to grow in the empty space, quietly claiming the spot.
Dick Fagan, a columnist for The Oregon Journal, noticed the hole from his office window. Instead of ignoring it, he decided to turn it into something memorable. He planted flowers there and gave the tiny patch of land a name — Mill Ends Park.
A Park Powered by Imagination
Fagan didn’t stop at flowers. Through his newspaper column, also called Mill Ends, he spun playful and imaginative stories about the park. He wrote about fairies and leprechauns living there, turning the forgotten hole into a magical place in the public’s mind.
One popular story involved a leprechaun who asked Fagan for a park. Since no size was mentioned, the tiny hole became his home. Fagan even gave the leprechaun leader a name: Patrick O’Toole. These stories added charm and helped the park grow famous far beyond Portland.
From Joke to Official Landmark
After Dick Fagan passed away in 1969, the city continued to care for the park. In 1976, Mill Ends Park was officially recognised as a city park, securing its place in Portland’s civic history.
Tiny Park, Big Personality
Over the years, the park has seen several playful additions. Miniature features like a small swimming pool with a diving board for butterflies, a tiny Ferris wheel, and even a model UFO have appeared there. The park has also hosted small music performances and picnics — all scaled to match its size.
Every year, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated here with special enthusiasm, keeping Fagan’s whimsical spirit alive.
At first glance, Mill Ends Park may look like nothing more than a decorated flower pot. But it stands as a symbol of Portland’s creativity, humour, and love for the unexpected, proving that even the smallest spaces can hold the biggest stories.
