Mill Ends Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mill Ends Park is a small urban park located in Portland, Oregon.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is known for being the world's smallest park, measuring only two feet in diameter. Despite its small size, there are several good reasons to visit including its unique history and quirky charm.

There are several interesting points of interest to see within the park, including the miniature Ferris wheel, a small swimming pool, and a tiny statue of Patrick O'Toole, the park's unofficial mascot. Visitors can also enjoy the park's beautiful flowers and greenery, which are well-maintained year-round by the Portland Parks and Recreation department.

One interesting fact about Mill Ends Park is that it was created in 1948 when a hole in the street was left vacant after a utility pole was removed. A local journalist, Dick Fagan, planted flowers in the hole and declared it a park, later naming it after his newspaper column "Mill Ends."

The best time of year to visit Mill Ends Park is during the spring and summer months when the flowers are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and can be enjoyed in any season.

Overall, Mill Ends Park is a unique and charming destination in the heart of Portland, Oregon, and is definitely worth a visit for anyone looking for a quirky and offbeat experience.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks