Warren G. Magnuson Park
Vision for the 21^st Century Park

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Planning Framework | Adopted Reuse Plan 1997 | Blue Ribbon Committee | Park Concept Design and Future Vision

ADOPTED REUSE PLAN OF 1997

On June 16, 1997, the Seattle City Council adopted a reuse plan for Naval Station Puget Sound. This plan was developed over six years and with information and comments gathered from more than 50 public meetings, and more than 30 public hearings. This plan defined uses, access and principal considerations for the following six activity areas at the park: educational and community; arts community and culture; Magnuson Park open space and recreation expansion; residential; federal institutional uses; and infrastructure development and site management. The 1997 Reuse Plan included a Physical Development and Management Plan, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, and a Zoning Overlay.

BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE

Since the Navy first abandoned the runways at Sand Point in the early 1970s, Warren G. Magnuson Park has been undergoing a major transformation. The year 1974 marked the beginning of redeveloping the outer 260 acres of the park. In 1998, as the deed was transferred for the last remaining 90 acres, which consisted of the historic landscapes and buildings constructed by the Navy, Seattle Mayor Paul Schell established the Sand Point Blue Ribbon Committee. Its task was to review plans for the Sand Point/Magnuson Park peninsula and recommend future directions for the park. This committee of civic leaders concluded that an expanded park would be a "Millenium gift to the region."

In February 1999, the Committee presented a Report to the Mayor and City Council.
 » View the Executive Summary

Many of the park planning documents are available at the Seattle Public Library’s North East Branch, 6801 35^th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7539.

The Mayor’s Sand Point Blue Ribbon Committee:

Chair: Charles Royer, former Mayor of Seattle

Maria Barrientos, Developer, Real Estate Development Services

Margaret Ceis, Chair, Board of Park Commissioners

Frank Chopp, Co-Speaker of the Washington State Legislature

James Fearn, Seattle Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Marc Frazer, Spokesman, Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction

Lezlie Jane, Artist

Ann Lennartz, Benefactor, Sunflower Foundation

Neal Lessenger, Director, University of Washington Real Estate; Chair, Meadowbrook Community Council

Nick Licata, Seattle City Council Member; Chair, Culture, Arts and Parks Committee

Steven Smith, Realtor

Lee Springgate, Director, Bellevue Parks and Recreation Committee (since retired)

Dan Strandy, Division Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Neale Weaver, Chair, View Ridge Community Council

Jeanette Williams, Chair, Sand Point Community Liaison Committee

Tom Byers, Deputy Mayor

Ken Bounds, Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation

Eric Friedli, Office of Sand Point Operations (now Operations and Planning Director, Warren G. Magnuson Park Division), Seattle Parks and Recreation

PARK CONCEPT DESIGN & FUTURE VISION

The Concept Design - On November 1, 1999, the Seattle City Council adopted a conceptual plan map to provide guidance for future design of the park. This map defined an off-leash dog area, habitat areas, parking and vehicle circulation, and sports fields. This is the map that is guiding the park’s development.
> view map (jpg 400k)

The Vision - The Blue Ribbon Committee aptly stated the vision for a park unlike any other park in the region:

"Sand Point will be integrated within Magnuson Park to create A Great Urban Park, with a mile-long shoreline, park and open spaces, sports fields, and numerous large building spaces for community programs and activities, special events, classes, exhibits and performances. The Park will integrate multiple uses—park and recreation, the arts, environmental protection and restoration, education and residential—which will work together to create a unique park in our region. This extraordinary peninsula, with a restored natural lake, shoreline and wetlands, will offer expanded recreational opportunities, innovative reuse of historic buildings and a campus setting for a new and exciting community of arts, culture and education programs, and events."

The unique balance and integration of these elements into a seamless series of experiences is what will make Warren G. Magnuson Park truly a park for the 21st century.

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