The Olympic Sculpture Park, designed by Weiss Manfredi Architects, was completed in June, 2007. In 2007 and 2008, it received several design awards. My personal opinion on the park is mixed. Given the original state of the site as a brown field (an area with contaminated soil), the park is definitely an improvement. It is also impressive how comfortable and unified the park feels considering it is cut through by both a highway and a railway. On the other hand, it can feel rather uninviting. The crisp, modernest lines of the park give it a rather institutional feel. To me, at least, it feels as though visitors are welcome to meander though, but not stay and relax. This may have to do with the youth of the park. The trees are still essentially saplings, so the lawns and "resting" areas have little to no cover. It doesn't help that there are signs posted throughout warning against touching the art, as it might cause damage. This is one of the most vocalized complaints against the park, which is understandable as it makes the park rather unwelcoming towards children, who by their very nature tend to want to touch everything.
The park has two structures. The first is an administrative building with an indoor seating area, cafe, gift shop, and a public parking structure underneath. It's open every day but Monday, though if you happen to be there when it is closed, you're not missing all that much. The other building is the Neukom Vivarium, which is essentially a small ecosystem sustained on a fallen tree. The Vivarium is open on a somewhat arbitrary basis, dependent on the availability of a volunteer. It is rather interesting to see up close though.
This is the Vivarium by Mark Dion
The fountain located at the waterfront connection point to the park is, in my opinion, a little creepy. Entitled "Father and Son," it features a naked man and a naked youth reaching for each other with open arms. I'm not condemning the piece, I just felt it worth mentioning.
Myrtle Edwards Park, originally Elliot Bay Park, extends along the water front between the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Cruise Ship Dock. It has some spectacular views and some decent areas to spend time and relax, if you are so inclined. It also includes a 1.25 mile bike trail that connects the waterfront to Ballard.
One attractive element of Myrtle Edwards Park is a small rose garden.
The North end of the of the park includes a public fishing dock and (possibly defunct) tackle shop.
