And to think, it started with a city light pole that never happened.
At just 452 square inches, Mill Ends Park (not Mill’s End Park) holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest park. Only two feet in diameter.
Photo by Jeremy Moore
It’s basically large enough to fit one shrub or tree, or a small variety of flowers. Previous iterations included a swimming pool for butterflies (complete with horseshoe diving board) and a crane holding a miniature Ferris Wheel. Even with the “trimmings”, there’s always been some sort of greenery.
The Beginning
A writer for the Oregon Journal in the 1940s, Dick Fagan had an office on Southwest Naito Parkway that overlooked the Willamette River. While there in 1946, a hole was dug in the median of the street for a light pole. The hole began to grow weeds before the light pole was installed. As the hole was visible from his office, Fagan then decided to plant some flowers to beautify the spot and improve his view.
A common misperception is that the name is “Mill’s End” Park. You’re probably thinking, then what’s the name Mill Ends about? It was Fagan’s idea, as that was the name of his column. Mill Ends referred to leftover lumber millings, small and irregular, but still having value.
The History
The park has more history than one would expect.
Fagan maintained the spot for 23 years, until his death in 1969. After that, other people chipped in to maintain the little park until finally in 1976 the City of Portland adopted the park as their own.
By the time 2004 rolled around, the park had a relatively official look.
By Duk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=220305
Around 2007, the park experienced a new upgrade along with the street improvements.
By atul666 from Portland, USA – Mill Ends Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3452839
Since its inception, Mill Ends Park has been renovated a number of times. They finally added a sign in 2018. You’ll notice people like to use it for memes as well.
In fact, one could say it’s one of the country’s most well kept parks. So much so, that while Journey Moore Often was there in October 2021, the park was under construction yet again!
While we were disappointed that we were just shy of the ribbon cutting two months later in December 2021, the upgraded park looks better than ever.
In 2013, the Town of Lichfield, UK attempted to have the title of park removed from Mill Ends Park. They did it to try to retake their claim of having the world’s smallest park. Part of their challenge was that Mill Ends Park did not have a fence. They believed a fence was a qualifier for a park. Portland responded appropriately, by installing a tiny fence.
It wasn’t until 2018 that Mill Ends Park got its first sign demarcating the park. And of course it even has its own Google Map© designation!
The Wrap
If you’re ever in Portland, OR, it’s a must see. It doesn’t take long, it’s free, it’s handicapped accessible, and superb for photo ops.
What more could you ask for?
Plus, there’s a beautiful riverfront park across the rest of the street called Tom McCall Waterfront Park that also has access to the Hawthorne Bridge. Both offer different extraordinary views that even include nearby mountains, Mt Hood to the east and Mt Saint Helens to the north.