Saturday At Mill Ends Park...!

Now this is not what you would expect to see when I mention a park. You might say that this one is really unique and has an interesting story.

This particular park has the distinction of being the world's smallest park. The story of how this all came to be is very interesting, to say the least!

Mill Ends Park

We’ve mentioned Mill Ends Park before, but this record holder for the world’s smallest park has seen drama since then, and it’s all focused around its (rather small) mystical tree.

The park in Portland, Oregon, was created on a small piece of dirt in the middle of a road that was originally intended to be home to a set of traffic lights. When the installation of the lights failed to go ahead, a local newspaper columnist named Dick Fagan began planting flowers there. It was there that he met Patrick O’Toole, a leprechaun. Fagan captured the little fellow, and according to tradition, a captured leprechaun must offer a wish.

Fagan wished for his own park, and the leprechaun granted him the small section of dirt in the road. Since that spot also happened to house a leprechaun colony, Fagan planted a small tree there to offer them shade. Later additions were made, including a miniature Ferris wheel delivered by a full-size crane.

At the beginning of March 2013, the tree was stolen from the park. The people of Portland, having pledged to take care of the city’s leprechauns, sprung into action—the tree was replaced. A spokesman from Portland Parks & Recreation department said, “We had to do what we could to ensure the leprechauns had shade.”

A week later, the original tree was returned and left lying beside its newly planted replacement. Yet despite the fact that the criminals had seen the error of their ways, the police weren’t willing to let the matter drop. “We will continue to pursue our investigation and hope that justice is served, and served swiftly,” said sergeant Pete Simpson.

Ya know, in this day and age where the news is all about murder, mayhem, and the madness of the World in general, it's nice to be able to focus on something a little more calm. Something about peace and serenity and beauty...no matter how small it may be! Just maybe that means there is some tiny bit of hope for all of Mankind!

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Warm temps and sunshine headed this way!