Giant City State Park in southern Illinois has posted a survey asking for public comments on reopening its backcountry airstrip.
According to officials with the Recreational Aviation Foundation, RAF Illinois State Liaison Mike Purpura and Illinois Ambassador Dave Warner have “diligently worked for several years to bring this exciting project to fruition.”
“This recreational asset will provide access to a place in southern Illinois with distinctive geography, geology, and plant and animal diversity,” they added. “The State Park offers abundant fishing, hunting, and hiking opportunities throughout its 4,000+ acres.”
“Giant City airstrip stands to be a true gem in the region for pilots if opened back up for public use,” they continued.
This airstrip was previously used from the 1950s to the 1980s. No legislative action is required to authorize reopening.
Pilots can make their voices heard by filling out the survey here.
The survey includes 15 multiple choice questions, as well as six narrative questions. RAF officials provide talking points for those questions on its website.
For more information: TheRAF.org
Please support this effort! There are several local LOUD voices opposing this with a lot of mis-information about it including:
Noise generated by airplanes, even though this State Park holds AND PROMOTES several Motorcycle rallies and rides throughout the year.
The types of airplanes (and people) that will come in: People saying that Zuck and Bezos will be flying in with their PJs looking for spots to build the next Data Center. This is a 2000-foot turf strip.
Disruption of Hunting grounds, even though this State Park only opens up to hunters a couple weeks out of the year.
Disruption of the critical natural habitats of the Park’s birds and bees. The airport area uses about 20-acres of the over 4000-acre State Park.
Please complete the survey and don’t let the local Pitchfork Mafia ruin this effort!
I have very fond memories of dropping into Giant City in the AHP “frat rat” during my 80’s stint at SIU-C. Reopening this strip would be a great asset to the flying community. I do think trying to squeeze my 60+ year old frame through “fat man squeeze” may be out of the question, however……