February Portland Photo Contest - Portland Parks Theme

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Permalink Reply by Angela Higgins on February 6, 2009 at 7:45pm

This'll be fun....The next WIP (Where in Portland) will be a Portland Park-- just to keep you all on your toes!

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Permalink Reply by John K on February 6, 2009 at 8:12pm

Shoot, the one I would want to use I've already used here (my former WIP shot that you accidentally stumbled upon). I'll just have to get out and find some new ones!

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Permalink Reply by Lorri E. on February 11, 2009 at 7:07pm

Come on everyone....upload your February photos for a chance to win (nice shots, Paula!)

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Permalink Reply by Paula on February 26, 2009 at 9:13pm

Thank you so much Lorri! :D

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Permalink Reply by Lorri E. on February 26, 2009 at 9:40pm

And the winner is.... John K. for taking a shot of our very tiny Portland park, Mills End Park:
http://community.portlandneighborhood.com/photo/mill-ends-park?cont...

Congrats, John, you win a McMenamin's gift certificate, woo hoo!

From Portland Parks Website, Mills End Park:
"Historical Information


In 1946, Dick Fagan returned from World War II to resume his journalistic career with the Oregon Journal. His office, on the second floor above Front Street (now Naito Parkway), gave him a view of not only the busy street, but also an unused hole in the median where a light pole was to be placed. When no pole arrived to fill in this hole, weeds took over the space. Fagan decided to take matters into his own hands and to plant flowers.

Fagan wrote a popular column called Mill Ends (rough, irregular pieces of lumber left over at lumber mills). He used this column to describe the park and the various "events" that occurred there. Fagan billed the space as the "World's Smallest Park." The park was dedicated on St. Patrick's Day in 1948 since Fagan was a good Irishman. He continued to write about activities in the park until he died in 1969. Many of his columns described the lives of a group of leprechauns, who established the "only leprechaun colony west of Ireland" in the park. Fagan claimed to be the only person who could see the head leprechaun, Patrick O'Toole. After Mill Ends officially became a city park on St. Patrick’s Day in 1976, the park continued to be the site of St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Over the years, contributions have been made to the park, such as the small swimming pool and diving board for butterflies, many statues, a miniature Ferris wheel (which was brought in by a normal-sized crane), and the occasional flying saucer. The events held here include concerts by Clan Macleay Pipe Band, picnics, and rose plantings by the Junior Rose Festival Court.

The park had to be moved temporarily in 2006 due to construction on Naito Parkway. It was replaced on March 16, 2007 in true St. Patrick's Day style with the Royal Rosarians, bagpipers, and the Fagan family, including Dick's wife Katherine, in attendance."

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Permalink Reply by Angela Higgins on February 27, 2009 at 7:46pm

Hey John, now that you are the official winner-- you must choose the Portland Photo Theme for March....You up for it?

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