Warren G. Magnuson Park

Location: Northeast Seattle
Address: 7400 Sand Point Way N.E.
Acreage: 320

Warren G. Magnuson Park is one of Seattle’s biggest parks. Only Discovery Park at more than 500 acres and Green Lake Park (by a hair) are bigger than this 320-acre waterfront park in northeast Seattle.

And, I am going to make the argument that it is the most diversely utilized public space in the city. You can challenge me on that only after you read on. First some history, and who is this guy Warren G?

Magnuson Park is not one of the oldest in Seattle, in fact it wasn’t developed until the 1970s. It was known as Sand Point Park for a few years before being renamed in honor of Mr. Magnuson in 1977.

When you enter this park through the main entrance you feel like a little like you’re sneaking onto a military base. That’s because the area was originally a naval air base that included an airstrip. When it was decommissioned, part of the land became headquarters for NOAA on the West Coast and the rest was set aside to develop as parkland.

Warren G. Magnuson, who had the unfortunate nickname of Maggie, was a U.S. senator for more than 35 years. He helped secure funding from the federal government to create the park. He also helped preserve Pike Place Market, pushed for the World’s Fair and got the West Seattle Bridge replaced. So, without Magnuson we might not have two of our major tourist attractions (the Market and the Space Needle) and West Seattleites would have to row to downtown.

The thing I love best about Magnuson Park is the sheer number of activities you can take part in here. Dozens of organizations call it home, including the Mountaineers, Seattle Musical Theatre, Outdoors for All Foundation and the Cascade Bicycle Club, using the former military buildings to run their programs.

You can also launch a boat, take a swim, explore the large off-leash dog park, fly a kite, check out public art, windsurf, visit a butterfly garden, check out what’s growing in the community vegetable garden, climb on one of the coolest playgrounds, play basketball on a full-height or kid-friendly basketball court, peek at a movie set or take a guided nature walk in the newly restored wetlands.

Here’s a map to keep you from getting lost. Although, my suggestion is that you park your car in the first empty spot (rare on a sunny Saturday) and spend the day wandering this park on foot or bike to see what makes this incredible urban space come alive.

#177 (Visited 5/21/10)