Magnuson Park Play Area Renovation
Updated: November 29, 2022
Fall 2022
In early 2023 Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will begin the planning phase for improvements at the Junior League of Seattle Playground in Magnuson Park. The first step will be to hold a public meeting to discuss the project and desired elements for the play area renovation. As details are confirmed this webpage will be updated with information about an in-person or online meeting. This project will replace the play equipment, making accessibility improvements in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), construct a new comfort station and complete a conceptual design for a spray park.
Location
Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 98115
Budget
$600,000 (play area), $975,000 (comfort station), $500,000 next Seattle Park District funding round; total $2,075,000
Source: Major Maintenance Project Fund
Schedule
Public engagement and design process: Early 2023 - Spring 2023
Design and Permitting: Summer 2023 - Fall 2024
Construction: Early 2025 - Late 2025
Project Description
This play area, constructed in 1999, with the support of the Junior League of Seattle commemorated 75 years of their organization helping young women and children in Seattle.
This improvement project consists of four elements. The play area improvements, comfort station construction, and demolition of a damaged comfort station are fully funded. A conceptual design for a new splashpad is also part of the project.
Play Area – The existing play equipment was constructed in 1999 and as of 2022 has reached SPRs 21-year cycle for replacement. Numerous accessibility barriers have been identified along the walkways that connect the play area to the children’s garden to the north and athletic fields to the southwest. The project calls for replacing the play area equipment and bringing the play area up to current SPR safety and accessibility standards.
Comfort Station –The design of a new comfort station near the play area will be completed followed by construction. A potential site was proposed to the south of the play area. As facilities were developed around the play area such as the off-leash area (2003) and the athletic fields (2009) citizens wanted a more centralized comfort station.
Damaged Comfort Station – North of the Magnuson Boat Launch a former navy radar building was converted into a comfort station in the 1980s and was used to store SPR Aquatics equipment. However, this building was damaged by arson fires in 2011 and 2016. This project includes funding for demolishing the damaged structure and developing a conceptual design for reuse of the footprint.
Splashpad – a conceptual design for a splashpad for future construction is included in this project. It is considered a replacement for a wading pool located 3,000 feet to the east near the Magnuson Swim Beach.
Community Participation
Public meetings either in-person or online will be scheduled for early 2023. As more details are confirmed they will be posted on this webpage.