Hazeltine Park

Strange spot off of Flavel that has zero amenities or anything to do. It’s a teeny tiny little thing, too. I imagine it was just a grass patch and they stuck a park sign on it, called it a day. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
It’s barely big enough for a dog to run amok, but there’s no play equipment or anything, so there are no ankle biters, either. No benches, but it’s right on a fairly busy street, so you’d not likely be posting up there anyway.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that this park is good for one thing only: connecting two sidewalks if you happen to be passing through. I suppose a person could sit around this grass patch and drink a 40 of Old E just fine, but there are just so many other, more pretty spots to do so.

Portland’s smallest park (called Mill Ends) is a remarkable two feet in length. You’re only allowed in if you’re a tree nymph or a butterfly. Anyone else would crush and demolish the greens. With one little sneeze… Or even a lopsided glance.
At one whopping acre, Hazeltine Park is slightly bigger than the mighty mighty Mill End. But the fact that this is actually included under the category of «parks» is somewhat astounding to me. Take five giant leaps and you’ve exacerbated the length of its grounds.
The accoutrements are limited to a small community board and a picnic table. It’s very exciting stuff.
But really, it’s an adorable little spot. With the beautiful cherry blossoms and well-​kempt greenery, it’s a lovely location to lay down a blanket and have a mid-​day picnic. Or to stargaze. Or should I say «satellite gaze» — there seem to be more visible satellites than astronomical features in the Portland night sky these days.
Nonetheless, I stop by to rest on the grass for a few moments whenever I find myself walking around the neighborhood. It’s refreshing and simple.