The park was created when journalist Dick Fagan observed a hole in the median where a light pole was meant to be installed but never arrived.
Guinness World Records officially designated Mill Ends Park as the world's smallest park in 1971.
The park is officially known as a 'colony' for leprechauns in local folklore documented by Fagan.
A small swimming pool for butterflies and a tiny diving board were once installed at the site by Fagan.
The location is officially recognized as a city park by Portland Parks & Recreation, which facilitates tree maintenance.
The original tree planted in the park was removed in 2013 due to theft, but was replaced shortly after.
Mill Ends Park is officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the smallest park in the world, covering a circular area of only 452 square inches. Located in Portland, Oregon, the site is situated within the median strip of SW Naito Parkway. Originally created in 1948 by journalist Dick Fagan, the plot was intended to serve as a colony for leprechauns and a site for snail races. The park features a single tree that is replaced periodically by Portland Parks & Recreation. The site is a popular destination for tourists seeking quirky, micro-scale urban landmarks. It remains a functional, legally designated city park maintained under the municipal parks department.
From the pedestrian sidewalk on SW Naito Parkway looking toward the median.
Traffic moves quickly on Naito Parkway; remain on the curb and use the crosswalk to reach the median safely.
Keep your visit brief, as the park is essentially a tiny circle of soil in the middle of a busy roadway.
Check the park's status online if visiting during severe storms, as the small tree is occasionally removed for health or safety reasons.
Do not attempt to stand on the park plot if traffic is heavy, as it is located in the middle of a thoroughfare.
