It is named after Los Angeles Lakers star and activist Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

An $80 million renovation of the park was completed in 2020, adding improvements like a 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) community events center,[1] playgrounds for kids and 300 new trees.

[2] "There are new jogging paths, drought-tolerant native-plant gardens studded with sagebrush and sycamores, scenic overlooks” and a community center designed by Paul Murdoch Architects with interior murals by Carla Jay Harris.

[3] The park also captures and filters runoff water from a storm drain under El Segundo Blvd., diverting it from Compton Creek, and releases it into wetlands and lakes at the park for further bioremediation.

[3] The park has two lakes that attract waterfowl like mallards, wigeons and Muscovy ducks.