Seattle’s Former Airfield Is Now Its Second-Largest Park With A Swimming Beach And Pretty Trails

Seattle’s many parks every have their very own distinctive persona and allure, however not many can declare that they had been as soon as an airfield. Warren G. Magnuson Park, nevertheless, can do precisely that. At 350 acres, Magnuson Park is the second largest within the metropolis — second solely to 560-acre Discovery Park — and it as soon as served a really completely different function. It sits on a chunk of land referred to as Sand Point, which is the previous website of the Sand Point Naval Air Base. The air base’s largest declare to fame is that it was the start line for the world’s first around-the-world flight. Today, the park is dwelling to miles of strolling trails, giant expanses of lush greenery, enjoyable swimming seashores, and loads of methods for locals and guests alike to benefit from the recent air of the Pacific Northwest. 

The park is positioned on the Sand Point Peninsula and is known as for a former Senator from the state of Washington, Warren G. “Maggie” Magnuson. Although it was initially named Sand Point Park, Senator Magnuson performed an enormous position in acquiring the funds for town to show this defunct airfield into a lovely neighborhood house, and it was renamed in his honor in 1977. Since then, it has develop into an area hotspot for leisure and leisure with an off-leash canine park, an occasion house that hosts markets all year long, and a free climbing wall. 

Magnuson Park is positioned 20 minutes northeast of downtown Seattle. You can get there simply by automotive, and a number of free parking heaps give you quick access to completely different components of the park. From right here, you may seize a chew and a brew on the cafe and brewery or spend the day exploring the boat launch, swim seaside, canine park, and a number of other sports activities fields.

The location of Magnuson Park makes it ultimate for out of doors recreation, and its place alongside the shore of Lake Washington makes it an inviting spot for swimming on a heat summer time day. Most of Seattle’s main parks are open year-round, however the seaside closes throughout the colder months (as do swimming pools and swim seashores at different parks throughout town), so you will have to go to between June 27th and August 23rd to swim at Magnuson Park. While different swimming seashores all through Seattle have facilities like diving boards, Magnuson Park doesn’t — as an alternative, count on traditional lake swimming at this well-liked spot with views of Mount Rainier, a significant West Coast volcano, within the distance.   

Seattle’s parks are very community-oriented, and you may see this at Magnuson Park, the place children ages six to 16 can take free swimming classes on the seaside. And when you get pleasure from visiting the park along with your canine, Magnuson Park has you lined. Not solely is there a canine park with separate areas for different-sized furry companions positioned close to the sports activities fields, however there may be additionally a seaside the place your pet can swim off-leash within the water.

Do notice that the park and its swimming seaside can get crowded when the climate is sweet, although it could be value braving for the wonderful views of Lake Washington. On quieter days, friends can get pleasure from a sunny day on the grassy space close to the swimming seaside or take a stroll alongside the waterfront at sundown. Magnuson Park additionally has loads of handy facilities, from loos to shady areas and an on-duty lifeguard throughout the summer time.

There are loads of methods to cross the time at Magnuson Park, particularly for friends who get pleasure from scenic walks and hikes. There are greater than 4 miles of trails right here, just like the Frog Pond-Wetlands Path, the Beach Walk, the Cross Park Trail, and the Wetlands Trail. Together, these routes wind via a wide range of terrain, together with grassy fields and patches of each deciduous and evergreen timber. One hiker described the paths as “lovely paved and unpaved trails [that are] very serene,” including that their favourite half is “the views from Kite Hill of the lake and Mt Rainier on a clear day.”

Much like Olympic Sculpture Park in downtown Seattle, Magnuson Park makes it straightforward to understand a wealth of art work amid greenery as you wander the paths. The distinctive artwork provides much more visible curiosity to an already fairly stroll. At the park’s N.E. 74th Street entrance, you will discover the World Flight Monument, which commemorates the primary around-the-world flight. Inside the park, you will spot sculptures by acclaimed artist Alonzo Victor Lewis, who was as soon as referred to as “Washington’s Sculpture Laureate.”

For guests interested by structure, a metropolis park might not sound like the apparent place to go for a strolling tour, however Magnuson Park is definitely dwelling to greater than 20 historic buildings relationship to the Thirties and ’40s that showcase the Art Deco kinds throughout that period. These historic constructions add one other distinctive backdrop to picturesque hikes right here. There are even outdated barracks nonetheless standing that had been designed within the Colonial Revival type, simply north of the primary entrance. If you wish to maintain exploring scenic spots round Seattle, head to Olympic Hills, a quiet neighborhood with various structure, inexperienced areas, and straightforward city entry.