CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport broke ground on their new aviation park Monday.
The skies fascinate many, and in the decades past, there was a spot to watch planes take off and land here in Chattanooga.
The airport’s CEO and President, April Cameron, said, “As many people know, we had an observation deck, and it was loved by the entire community.”
That observation deck has been closed for over 30 years.
Combined with the stricter security post 9/11, the ability to watch airplanes here became much more difficult.
Cameron said, “I have people all over the community that come to me and tell me about their stories, coming here as a child to watch the planes land.”
This is why a brand new aviation park is being created on the north end of Lovell Field.
It will feature a Bluecross Healthy Place Playground, a model airplane, and a World War II memorial.
The airport’s Vice President of Operations, Jack McAfee. said, “(Bluecross) can customize the playground and actually mimic the tower we have on site. Aviation themes everywhere. we’re adding our own aspect of World War II memorial that’s going to be here as well as a corporate aircraft that we’re hoping on occasion to open up and let anyone go in and see what it’s like inside of a jet… It is a place to come and enjoy aviation without the stress that’s normally associated with traveling.”
Airport officials hope this will make the airport not just a place to get to other destinations, but a destination itself.
Cameron said, “There are several aviation parks across the country. There are other airports that have aviation themed parks, so that really helped us.”
This park is expected to be completed sometime next year.
