World Record Holder Mill Ends Park is the Tiniest Park in the World

World record holder Mill Ends Park is the tiniest park in the world. This world’s smallest park sat in the midst of a busy Portland, Oregon street, and was created in 1948 as a newspaper writer named Dick Fagan’s incredible little concept. In 1971, the Guinness Book of Records granted the record of the world’s smallest park to the two-feet circular spot of paradise, which was named after its creator’s column Mill Ends. Park history was cemented on that day.

The park began as a hole in the street. In 1945, Dick Fagan was looking out the window of his Journal office and noticed the hole, which was meant for a street light, had been abandoned by the city. He had watched the city grow around the future Mills Ends Park hole through the years, and one day, he decided to wrench the weeds out of the small patch of dirt and plant flowers. This hole he dubbed Mill Ends Park, and he started writing about it in his column.

At first, the amusing pieces about Mill Ends Park began as a fairy story; to be exact, a leprechaun fairy story. Of course, the online Wikipedia article discussing the park’s origin varies from some sources who say that Fagan, who was the only one who could see the leprechauns, would write imaginative stories about his leprechauns led by Patty O’Toole, a grumpy sort who explained this colony of leprechauns was the only one west of Ireland.*

On March 17, 1948 (St. Patrick’s day,) to the delight of Portland’s Mill Ends Park fans, Mill Ends Park was officially dedicated as a Portland, Oregon City park. For over twenty years, Dick Fagan continued to relay his tales of Mill Ends Park, and the people of Portland enjoyed the quirky writer and his legendary storytelling. Fans have sent many gifts including statues (even of Patty O’Toole,) a Ferris Wheel (delivered by a normal-sized crane), a swimming pool with a diving board, and tiny signs. Events like snail races and bagpipe concerts have been enjoyed by those who visited the park, and like its fantastic creator, the legend of the park has endured time and cynicism.