Park Features
Kite Flying
Magnuson Park is arguably the best place to fly a kite! The park's premier launchpad is Kite Hill, a grassy, 35-foot hilltop overlooking the waters of Lake Washington. With no trees to trap your kite, Kite Hill offers clear views to the north and south. Take to the skies, and take in the views of Mt. Ranier!
From Sand Point Way N.E., enter the park at N.E. 65th Street. Go straight ahead to the lake, then left (north) along the shoreline. Park next to Kite Hill and the Fin Art Project, near the swimming beach.
Playground
The Junior League of Seattle donated and dedicated this "Air, Land and Sea" playground to the children of Seattle to commemorate the organization's 75 years of community service. The playground was designed partly by children and built entirely by volunteers at the site of the former Naval Air Station, Seattle Control Tower. The design of the playground includes several features which commemorate the site's past use as an airfield:
- The N.E. to N.W. orientation of the central sidewalk is similar to that of the main runway (demolished in the mid-1970s).
- The sidewalk also includes air traffic markings at each end just like a real runway!
- A mosaic at the southwest corner of the playground includes compass points and nautical themes.
To get to the playground, enter the park at N.E. 74th Street from Sand Point Way N.E. Drive straight ahead until you see a wide planted median. The playground is directly east (toward Lake Washington). Park close to the playground anywhere in the large lot.
Picnic Shelter No. 3 is adjacent to the playground, as are four variable-height basketball courts. You'll also find nearby sports fields, walking trails and a dog off-leash area.
Sport Fields
Two sets of sports fields are found within the park-the Sports Meadow (Fields 1-4) and the Mickey Merriam Athletic Field Complex (Fields 5-9). Field Number 8 is named after Frank Papasedero.
To get to the Sand Point Fields, enter the park at N.E. 74th Street from Sand Point Way N.E. Drive, drive straight until you see a large planted median. Turn right and you'll find a 300-space parking lot. The Sports Meadow is directly east (toward Lake Washington) while the Merriam Field Complex is directly south. Park anywhere as close to your field as you can in the large lots.
Tennis Courts
The six unlighted tennis courts in Magnuson Park were constructed in the mid-1970s after the first transfer of lands from Naval Air Station, Seattle. They are located in the center portion of the park. It is easiest to access the existing courts from NE 74th Street entrance. From NE 74th Street, continue 1/4 mile east to the Junior League of Seattle Playground. From this point walk east on the Cross Park Trail a little over a 1/4 mile.
Boating
There are multiple places to launch your boat East (tower)hand carry boat launch is 30' of shoreline immediately east of the Magnuson tower. South hand carry boat launch is 100' of shoreline south of the public boat launching ramps. North hand carry boat launch is the north shore of Magnuson Park at Sail Sand Point, a community sailing center. The East (NE 65th) boat launch at eastern end of NE 65th St. Visit our Boat Launch page for motorized options.
Windsurfing
If you don't like the salt water, flotsam, tides and confused chop of Puget Sound, try windsurfing in the refreshing Lake Washington waters off of Warren G. Magnuson Park. Windsurfers of all levels of expertise enjoy the lake's small, but ever-regular waves. The best southerly winds are during winter and spring months. If the wind is from the southwest, a few trees just south of the park's windsurfing launch can produce a narrow wind shadow. Summer months bring jet skiers.
Enter the park at N.E. 65th Street and Sand Point Way N.E. Go straight ahead to the lake. The windsurfing launch is just south of the boat ramp. Set up your rigging on the grassy area nearby.
Walking Trails
The Cross Park Trail connects the Junior League of Seattle Playground to the lake shore, providing walkers who enter at N.E. 74th with direct access to the beach. From the main parking lot near the Junior League of Seattle Playground, the "Cross-Park Trail" offers a one-mile loop. Visitors to the Junior League of Seattle Playground, special events in Building 30, or the Brig (Building 406) also can enjoy direct access to the beach by using the trail.
The park's "historic district" features more than 20 brick and metal structures built in the 1930s and 1940s. A suggested walk (approximately one mile) begins at the corner of N.E. 65th Street and 62nd Avenue N.E. Head north to where it crosses N.E. 74th past the former Navy offices, storage buildings, and hangars. Follow the signs to the North Shore Recreation Area that leads through a vehicle underpass onto the shore area. Don't miss the unexpected, spectacular views to the north and east of Lake Washington. The green areas across the lake on its eastern shore are O. Denny Park and Big Finn Hill Park.
P-Patch
Magnuson Park houses a community garden managed by the Department of Neighborhoods. Learn more about the garden here or visit the Community Gardens website.
NOAA Art Walk and "Sound Garden"
The NOAA Art Walk was created in the early 1980s and includes six outdoor artworks by nationally recognized artists. The most recognized sculpture is "A Sound Garden". This piece is located at the eastern end of the NOAA campus and features organ-like pipes that make sounds depending upon wind direction and speed. Access to NOAA - Western Regional Center and the Art Walk is restricted. Photo ID is required to enter (student ID, state driver's license, etc.). Please contact NOAA for hours and access instructions. http://www.wrc.noaa.gov