There are two entities called the Magnuson Community Garden.  One is the physical  four acre garden  within Seattle's Magnuson Park. The other is a nonprofit organization, also called the Magnuson Community Garden,  formed by interested volunteers to facilitate the design, development, funding, and building of the garden. The MCG organization is governed by a  board of directors of which two are ex officio members -- one is the director of Magnuson Park and the other is the head of the Department of Neighborhood's P-Patch Program. All proposals of the MCG board which relate to the development of the garden receive oversight from Parks.

The designs for the garden were reviewed by Parks and by the Seattle Design Commission. An environmental impact statement was filed for the garden before construction began. Construction of the infrastructure met city regulations, including calling for bids for specific projects.

The facilities built within the garden with the assistance of volunteers belong to the  Department of Parks and Recreation.  Portions of the Community Garden, such as the Amphitheater may be rented from parks, see the Park's Reservations and Rental Page.  Revenue from the rental of the facilities within the garden is park revenue. 

Within the garden is the Magnuson  P-Patch which is administered by the Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch program. The City of Seattle's P-Patch Program is open to any resident of Seattle. The P-Patch Program is organic gardening only. Plots at Magnuson are year-round. Each gardener must contribute 8 hours of volunteer time to the program. The fee schedule is posted on the P-Patch Program Web site. Water used by the Magnuson P-Patch is separately metered and paid for by the P-Patch program.

Volunteers maintain parts of the garden, such as the Native Plant Borders, the Childrens' Garden, and the P-Patch. All volunteer workparties held at the Magnuson Community Garden require scheduling with Parks, and participants are required to use sign in sheets.   (See Park Information on  sign-in Sheets - Individual ( 13 KB) - Group  ) ( 26 KB)). Work party leaders are required to register with Parks See Volunteer Packet Forms ( 460 KB).