Mill Ends Park

Mill Ends Park in Portland, Oregon, holds the unique distinction of being the world's smallest city park, a title it earned in 1971 from the Guinness Book of World Records. Measuring just two feet in diameter, this tiny park is located in the median of Naito Parkway, and it’s easy for passersby to overlook it amidst the busy traffic. The park was unofficially established in 1948 by local journalist Dick Fagan, who whimsically declared it the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland.

The park’s origin story is as quirky as its size. After returning from World War II, Fagan noticed an unused hole in the median outside his office window. When the city failed to install the light pole intended for the spot, weeds began to grow. Fagan took matters into his own hands by planting flowers and, in his popular column for the Oregon Journal, began sharing imaginative tales of the park's resident leprechaun, Patrick O’Toole. Over the years, Mill Ends Park has hosted an array of whimsical features, from a butterfly-sized swimming pool to a miniature Ferris wheel.

Officially recognized as a city park on St. Patrick’s Day in 1976, Mill Ends Park has remained a beloved local landmark, often featuring in festive celebrations and community events. Visitors can find the park at the intersection of SW Naito Parkway and SW Taylor Street.