Department Policy & Procedure

Subject:

Magnuson Park Supplemental Use Management Guidelines

Number: 060-P 7.13.1.7

Effective: March 23, 2005

Supersedes: March 14, 1993

Approved:

Department:

Parks & Recreation

Page 1 of 4

1.0 PURPOSE

1.1 To define the conditions for managing special events and the processes for issuing event permits at Warren G. Magnuson Park (noted as Magnuson Park). The goals of the management guidelines are to establish clear procedures for event sponsors and to minimize the impacts of special events and concession/vending activities to drop-in park users, environmentally sensitive areas, on-site residents (Community Housing Association), non-park operations (University of Washington) and tenants in park facilities; and adjacent neighborhoods.

2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED See also reference 3.1

2.1 Magnuson Park Community Communications Committee and member community councils and clubs

2.2 Organized user groups

2.3 University of Washington

2.4 Sand Point Community Housing Association

2.5 Magnuson Park tenants

2.6 USGS Western Fisheries Research Center

2.7 Northeast District Council

2.8 National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

2.9 Sand Point Community Liaison Committee

3.0 REFERENCE

3.1 Policy and Procedure 060-P 7.13.1, Use Management Guidelines for Parks and Recreation Facilities.

4.0 POLICY

The use of Magnuson Park is guided by references 3.1 and may be superseded by the guidelines of this Policy and Procedure.

4.1 Hours of Operation

4.1.1 Magnuson Park shall be open to the public in accordance with the Park Code. Open hours to the Lake Washington shoreline, Magnuson Boat Launch, the North Shore Recreation Area, and Parks Department roads shall be: May 1 to Labor Day: 4 a.m. 11:30 p.m.; Labor Day to April 30: 4 a.m. 10 p.m. Public street right-of-way under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation will remain open 24 hours per day as follows: NE 74th Street; NE 65th Street; 62nd Avenue NE; 63rd Avenue NE.

4.1.2 The gate on NE 65th Street on a portion defined as a Parks Department road, and with access to the lakeshore portions of Magnuson Park may be locked at times that vehicular access is prohibited.

4.2 Normal Use

4.2.1 Permissible normal use of Magnuson Park shall generally be limited to scheduled activities or, to informal drop-in activities, except as noted in other sections within this policy.

4.3 Special Events

4.3.1 As a regional park in accordance with reference 3.1 several special events may be scheduled at Magnuson Park on the same day. This is only permissible with the issuance of a Parks Special Events Permit.

4.3.2 Multiple-day special events may be held at Magnuson Park with the issuance of Parks Special Events Permit.

4.3.3 Permissible outdoor special event venues or routes shall be generally limited to paved surfaces, trails, or maintained lawn areas.

4.3.4 Permissible special events within Magnuson Park include the following:

Bicycling events

Church services

Commercially produced exhibitions or theme festivals, trade shows

Community fairs, festivals, other events

Concerts, plays, dance performances

Continuing education classes

Day camps

Driver/rider training activities

Emergency preparedness training

Fine arts exhibits

Food vending associated with a special event

Fundraising events (indoor, outdoor)

Interim weekday use parking facilities

Kite flying

Non-motorized water craft racing (canoes, sailboats, etc.)

Outdoor running events (cross-country, orienteering, etc.)

Photography or filming with a film permit

Picnics

Political rallies, fund raisers or First Amendment events

Sailboarding

Swimming

Theme festivals, arts/crafts exhibits

Theme shows/contests/exhibitions

Tournaments for organized sports

Volunteer work parties

Weddings

4.3.5 Special events not listed in section 4.3.4 may be permissible as a variance in accordance with the Use Permit procedure, Seattle Parks Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 060-P 7.1.2.

4.3.6 The use of sound amplification equipment may be permitted with the issuance of a Parks Special Events Permit and when the activity is consistent with the Seattle Noise Ordinance (SMC 25.08).

4.4 Concessions and Vending

4.4.1 Concession and vending activity in Magnuson Park is permitted following review by Parks staff.

4.4.2 A park use permit issued in conjunction with a special event may authorize the sale of food and non-food items.

4.4.3 Concessions and vending activities may be permitted per a park use permit.

5.0 DEFINITIONS See reference 3.1

5.1 Magnuson Park Community Communications Committee composed of neighborhood and park user groups, and meets on a regular basis.

6.0 RESPONSIBILITIES See reference 3.1

6.1 The Magnuson Special Events Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the scheduling of special events for all indoor and outdoor facilities, except for the Magnuson Community Center.

6.2 The Magnuson Special Events Coordinator may coordinate with the Magnuson Community Center Coordinator to schedule special events within the community center.

6.3 The Magnuson Special Events Coordinator may coordinate with the Seattle Parks Field Scheduling Unit to schedule special events on athletic fields.

6.4 The Magnuson Park Special Event Coordinator will specify permissible outdoor event locations which minimize noise and traffic impacts to drop-in park users, on-site residents, and environmentally sensitive areas, non-park operations, tenants in park facilities; and adjacent neighborhoods.

6.5 When directed by the Magnuson Parks Special Event Coordinator, special event organizers will:

6.5.1 Provide temporary toilets when projected event attendance exceeds the capacity of a facility.

6.5.2 Provide waste control and post-event clean up services.

6.5.3 Provide traffic and parking management services to maintain access for drop-in park users, on-site residents, and non-park operations.

6.6 The Magnuson Park Special Event Coordinator will provide notice to the Seattle Police Department when an event will be serving alcohol in accordance with a State Liquor Control Board permit.

6.7 The Magnuson Park Tenant Coordinator will be responsible for permitting concession and vending activities not associated with a special event.

6.7.1 The Magnuson Park Tenant Coordinator will specify permissible outdoor concession and vending locations which minimize impacts to drop-in park users, on-site residents, and environmentally sensitive areas, non-park operations, tenants in park facilities; and adjacent neighborhoods.

6.8 When directed by the Magnuson Park Tenant Coordinator, concession/vending operators will:

6.8.1 Provide waste control receptacles or clean up.

6.8.2 Alter their service area to maintain access for drop-in park users, onsite residents, and non-park operations.

6.9 The Magnuson Park Administration Unit will maintain records of complaints related to special event and concession/vending operations.

6.10 Any event, or concession and vending activity is subject to additional provisions as stipulated by the Department.

6.11 The Superintendent will designate the staff positions to act as the Magnuson Park Tenant Coordinator and the Magnuson Park Special Event Coordinator.

7.0 PROCEDURE See reference 3.1

7.1.1 Non-Department groups may obtain permits for the use of certain outdoor facilities and indoor facilities by making application at the Magnuson Park administrative offices.

8.0 APPENDIX

8.1 These guidelines are issued in accordance with the Administrative Code of the City of Seattle, and a public hearing was held during the Park Board meeting on February 10, 2005.