WARREN G. MAGNUSON PARK
History - Military to Civilian Conversion

Figure 8: Gold Cup Hydroplane Race, August 1974 (PDF) Figure 9: Naval Support Facility Seattle, 1978 (PDF) Figure 10: Construction of NOAA Campus 1981-82 (JPG)

• 1970, the Navy announced that it would retain a small portion of Naval Air Station Seattle and 347 acres would be declared surplus for other purposes.
• June 30, 1970, the U.S. Navy deactivated the Naval Air Station, ended all flight operations, and renamed as Naval Support Activity - Seattle.
• Late 1970s, construction begun on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Western Administrative Support Center
• August 1974, Seattle Gold Cup Hydroplane Race. Estimated attendance: 30,000-35,000. Event parking on remaining tarmac, event considered a failure due to first-time for admission charge, parking/traffic control problems
• 1975, 312.5 acres surplused: 117 acres transferred to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 196 acres transferred to the City of Seattle for Sand Point Park
• 1975 - Sand Point Park Master Plan, proposed development of 75-acre Sports Meadow, tennis courts; neighborhood park; maintenance complex, and restaurant.
• December 1975, dedication of Sand Point Park including the planting a ceremonial tree
• 1976 - "Sand Point Park: A Final Statement on Impact". Proposed demolition of structures and runways, development of a sports meadow and drained playfields, North Cove Swimming Beach, boating center, and interior circulation system.
• Late 1970s, demolition of runways, tarmac and taxiways, approximately 120 acres
• May 1977, park renamed in honor of Senator Warren Grant Magnuson
• 1979, athletic field improvements designed by U.S. Navy for Sand Point recreation fields, to include two baseball fields and one running track around a football field. Lighting was designed for the football field (8 poles 65-feet tall with six fixtures), including a scoreboard and loudspeakers. Uncertain why this project was not constructed.
• 1980-82, construction of NOAA Western Administrative Support Center
• Mid to late 1980s, construction of Kite Hill from 40,000 tons of demolished runway and earth near the site of historic Sand Point Head
• 1983 - "Base Exterior Architecture Design Guide, Naval Station Seattle, Washington". Identified aesthetic measures to upgrade the appearance of the base.
• 1983, 4.48 acres surplused to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Western Fisheries Research Center
• 1983, completion and dedication of NOAA campus and Art Walk, including five public art sculptures
• 1985, Naval Support Facility - Seattle, housed the offices of the Navy's supervisor of shipbuilding, a recruiting office and a public-relations office. Work Force: 1,000 military personnel and 1,182 civilians.
• May 1987 (Memorial Day weekend), Boy Scout Exposition, estimated attendance 28,000
• October 1986, base redesignated as Naval Station Puget Sound
• Late 1980s - "Sand Point Site Development Master Plan, Naval Station Puget Sound", proposed using Naval Station Puget Sound for support facilities.
• 1989 - "Master Plan Update Magnuson Park" by Seattle Parks and Recreation".
• April 1990, 19th Annual University of Washington, Native American Student Association Pow Wow, estimated attendance 45,000
• April 1991, 20th Annual University of Washington, Native American Student Association Pow Wow, estimated attendance 45,000
• April 1991, Naval Station Puget Sound recommended for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC)

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