Mill Ends Park facts for kids
Mill Ends Park is a tiny park located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. You can find it in the middle of SW Naito Parkway, near the Willamette River. This park is just a small circle, about 2 ft (0.61 m) wide. Its total size is only 452 sq in (0.292 m2). Because of its small size, it holds the record as the smallest park in the world! This amazing fact was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of Records in 1971.
Contents
Mill Ends Park: The World's Smallest Park
How Mill Ends Park Began
Mill Ends Park was officially opened on St. Patrick's Day in 1948. It was even called "the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland"! A man named Dick Fagan created this special park.
In 1948, the spot where the park now sits was supposed to have a light pole. But the pole was never put in, and soon, weeds started growing in the empty hole. Dick Fagan, who wrote for a newspaper called the Oregon Journal, decided to plant flowers there instead. He named it "Mill Ends" after his newspaper column. Sadly, Fagan passed away in 1968.
Fun Facts and Celebrations
In 1976, this tiny spot was officially named a city park. Over the years, many unusual things have appeared in the small circle. These include a tiny swimming pool for butterflies (it even had a diving board!), a horseshoe, a piece of the Oregon Journal building, and a small Ferris wheel.
Every year on St. Patrick's Day, the park is still a place for fun celebrations. In 2001, it was decorated with leprechauns. Events held there have included concerts by the Clan Macleay Pipe Band, picnics, and even rose plantings by the Junior Rose Festival Court.
In March 2013, something strange happened: the park's tiny tree was stolen! Police planted a new tree to replace it. But the very next day, someone found the original tree lying right next to the new one.
Images for kids
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The park in November 2011
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The park during Occupy Portland in December 2011
See also
In Spanish: Mill Ends Park para niños
