Maria Y.
Yelp
Magnuson Park is a very large park, the second largest in Seattle. Like the largest (Discovery Park), this one used to be a military base, a Naval air station. Most of the field areas were once covered in asphalt and they've done a pretty good job of restoring it. I used to work in an office in Building 30, which is where the Friends of the Library book sale is held, as well as some other events. It was pretty run-down at the time, but they did some renovations a few years ago. I haven't been inside since then, though.
In the southern area of the park, a few years ago they did a large wetland restoration project that's very interesting to visit every few months and see how it's changing and progressing. A few years ago, there were a lot of individual, somewhat isolated little pools, but as time has passed (and partially due to beaver activity) they've started to merge together. The trees are growing quickly.
There are good walking paths here, though few trees. The trees that are here are mostly fast-growing cottonwoods that have grown since the area stopped being used as a base.
The run-down and abandoned military buildings here are depressing. I wish they would do something with the former barracks just off of Sand Point Way. A few years ago they were talking about renovating them and making low-income housing, but that project was shelved, and as far as I know there aren't any other current plans. Gradually, pieces of the park have been carved off and sold/rented to private groups. What was once a grassy field near the community center is now a large indoor tennis facility that looks like it belongs on the Moon. I'm generally not a fan of the precedent of selling off public park land to private use, but on the other hand the buildings were degrading, so I'm glad they are at least getting some use.
There's a large community garden here, which I enjoy strolling through to see all the items people plant. Even though we don't have a dog, my partner and I enjoy hanging out in the dog park area to experience the dogginess....we do like dogs and hope to eventually get one. The dog area is huge, including a small dog area and a dog-friendly beach. Unfortunately, there seems to be usually at least one incident of human drama or dog drama or both. One time a dog peed on my leg!!! (I was wearing old pants though so I mostly just thought it was funny.)
The restroom situation is pretty good. There are a lot of porta potties and at least 2 full restrooms -- one on the lake shore, and one on the trails near some of the sports fields (I call this one "the bunker" because that's basically what it is.)
This is a good place to birdwatch. I'm no professional birder, but I do like watching them, and I've seen so many goldfinches here (I don't usually see them in the city), as well as some other birds I don't see often, like a killdeer, and a large variety of ducks and other waterfowl.
There are a lot of picnic shelters, tables, and grills, and I often see people having picnics and cookouts here.
There are all sorts of events here. One time I saw a bunch of people dressed in Victorian garb playing croquet!
There's something for most people here, between the trails, dog area, community gardens, sports fields, picnic areas, water access, etc.... but parts of the park have a kind of run-down, faded, tired sort of feeling that prevents me from giving it five stars.