Waldo Park

Waldo Park

Waldo Park is a municipal park, located in downtown Salem, Oregon, United States. It is one of the smallest city parks in the world, measuring at 12' by 20' (3.6576 x 6.096m). The park consists of a giant sequoia surrounded by landscaping and marked with a plaque and sign.

The park is named for 19th century lawyer and Marion County judge William Waldo, who planted the tree on his property in 1872. Waldo later sold his property to the city, under condition that the tree be preserved. In 1936, the tree was made into a city park as a result of activism by the American War Mothers, with the support of prominent Salem citizens.

The tree is located at the intersection of Union and Summer Streets. Summer Street, a major Salem thoroughfare, is temporarily reduced from four lanes to three to make room for the park. The tree currently reaches a height of 82 feet (25m). On its official website, the City of Salem writes, "Waldo Park has the distinction of being listed as the world's smallest park." This statement is disputed, with some sources claiming that Mill Ends Park in Portland, Oregon is the smallest park in the world.

Gallery

Additional images of Waldo Park.

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See also

• Mill Ends Park, the smallest park in the world, located in nearby Portland

External links

• City of Salem description of park