The garden is expected to serve horticultural purposes related to plant education, demonstrating native plant materials, composting, facilities to accommodate gardening for persons with physical disabilities, in addition to relocating the soon to be displaced Sand Point P-patch at NE 70th and the Burke Gilman Trail. The Magnuson Park Concept Plan provides guidance for Magnuson Park design. It includes a Concept Plan Map and the 1997 Physical Development Management Plan for Sand Point as amended by Council Resolution No. 30063 . The Blue Ribbon Committee's recommendations were considered by the Council in September and adopted on November 1, 1999.
Community gardens are part of the concept of providing open space in an urban environment.
When Seattle was working on its Urban Village strategy of denser, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods in the city's comprehensive plan, community gardens were considered essential public facilities. Urban gardening can be an important community development tool. It will include neighborhood gardening, educational opportunities such as demonstration gardens, composting methods, and native plant cultivation with program opportunities for seniors, transitional housing residents, youth, and the handicapped as well as neighborhood P-Patch gardeners. The garden will encourage people to enjoy an environment that promotes beauty, neighborliness, healthy living and stewardship of the natural resources of the Sand Point Peninsula. The lead for planning a community garden at Magnuson Park is the Magnuson Community Garden Coalition, a group of organizations with a common vision that will promote urban ecology, environmental stewardship.