The largest roosting colony of Vaux's Swifts in the world (about 40,000 individuals) can be found each September in the old chimney of Chapman School in Portland.

Hundreds of people gather on the lawn of Chapman school and nearby Wallace Park, from about an hour before sunset to about a half hour after, to watch the Swifts gather insects and engage in swooping acrobatic feats before fluttering into the chimney to roost.

Mill Ends Park is the world's smallest city park (according to the Guinness Book of World Records in 1976). The park is just two feet wide, and sits in the middle of Naito Parkway. It is the only colony for leprechauns west of Ireland.

Renovations over the years have included a swimming pool and diving board for butterflies, and a miniature Ferris Wheel (delivered by full sized crane).