Mill Ends Park

World's Tiniest Urban Oasis

Situated in the median strip of SW Naito Parkway near SW Taylor Street, this miniature green space might make you do a double-take. At just 2 feet (0.61 m) in diameter with a total area of 452 square inches (0.292 m²), it's easy to miss if you're not looking for it.

As of early 2025, Mill Ends Park proudly holds the title of North America's smallest park, but it recently had to surrender its Guinness World Record for the world's smallest park to an even tinier contender in Nagaizumi, Japan, measuring a mere 0.24 square meters (372 square inches).

Whimsical Origins

The park has a backstory that's quintessentially Portland. Back in 1946, Dick Fagan, a columnist for the Oregon Journal, spotted a hole in the concrete where a light pole was supposed to go. Instead of complaining about city maintenance, he took a more creative approach - planting flowers in the hole and chronicling its development in his column called "Mill Ends".

The tiny green space officially became a park on St. Patrick's Day in 1948 and earned its place in Portland's parks system in 1976. Its name reflects its humble origins - "mill ends" being the leftover pieces of wood at lumber mills that might otherwise be discarded.

Tiny Attractions

What this park lacks in size, it makes up for in character. Over the years, this pint-sized plot has hosted an impressive array of miniature installations - from a tiny Ferris wheel to a butterfly swimming pool (yes, really).

If you visit at different times of the year, you might notice the park's decorations change with the seasons and holidays. Observant passersby have spotted everything from minuscule figurines to themed displays that seem to appear mysteriously. Following Fagan's original Irish-themed storytelling, local lore even suggests the park is home to leprechauns - though they're notoriously camera-shy.

Portland Parks & Recreation faithfully maintains this micro-park, which even has its own dedicated watering schedule.

Visiting the Park

You can reach Mill Ends Park via a crosswalk in the median of Naito Parkway. Take care when approaching, as you'll need to navigate between lanes of traffic to reach this median attraction.

Many people combine their visit with a stroll through nearby Tom McCall Waterfront Park, which offers more conventional park amenities along the Willamette River. You'll discover street parking available in the surrounding area if you're arriving by car.

Recent Developments

Like many Portland landmarks, Mill Ends Park has weathered some changes with urban development. The tiny park temporarily relocated during construction on Naito Parkway in both 2006 and 2021.

It has since returned to its rightful place - well, six inches west of its original spot - with a fittingly tiny ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating its homecoming. Through it all, this microscopic park continues to embody Portland's quirky character and captures the city's creative spirit.