Earmarks $10,000 To Assist In Park's Creation

The Greenville Downtown Airport is pleased to announce that Greenville County has invested $10,000 to assist in the creation of an Airport Park. "The park was conceived to fill a need since over 10,000 school children a year used to tour GSP before 9/11. They can no longer do that due to security changes. The Downtown Airport receives many inquiries from large groups that would like to come out to the airport for tours. Unfortunately, we have not always been able to accommodate large groups due to the size of our facilities. Once the park is completed, we will be able to host groups of most any size. The park will be free to use and open to the public," stated Lara Kaufmann, GMU's Public Relations Director.

"Our region has attracted numerous aviation companies and Boeing is expanding in our state. Many of these high tech companies are having a difficult time finding skilled workers. We believe that exposure to aviation may inspire kids to become pilots or enter career fields such as engineering, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, or CNC Machinist. All of these are high paying jobs that will need to be filled locally," added Kaufmann.

“Greenville County has a rich history of strongly supporting parks and recreation projects that greatly enhance all our citizens’ quality of life,” said Greenville County Administrator Joe Kernell. “This Airport Park Project is very unique and will quickly become a must visit park for all our families.”

Mr. Kernell called the park “a one of kind” saying, “We are very proud to join so many others in supporting this effort of creating a park that is not only fun but also educational and inspirational.”

The park's educational amphitheater, irrigation system, grass, fencing, paved exercise "Perimeter Taxiway" and walking "Runways" have been completed. By mid-June, aviation themed playground equipment will be added for children 2 – 5 years old, along with a multi-age use swing set and an airplane shaped climbing structure. A 15-foot cross section of a Boeing 737 fuselage is in the process of being transformed into a handicapped accessible park entrance. Teacher and student volunteers from the Greenville Tech aircraft maintenance school are doing this work free of charge.

The County's investment, along with future grants and additional funds raised, will help add aviation themed playground equipment for school aged children 5 to 12 years old and a picnic pavilion, according to airport officials.

(Image provided by Greenville Downtown Airport) 

FMI: www.greenvilledowntownairport.com/RunOnTheRunway.html