On opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, the Experimental Aircraft Association broke ground on its new “aviation education and inspiration area.”
The new Discovery Park project, expected to be open for EAA AirVenture 2027, is being built between Aviation Gateway Park and the EAA Blue Barn that supports EAA chapters and their youth aviation activities.
“Discovery Park offers so many advantages for young people and families at AirVenture, especially as we’ve seen the popularity of KidVenture grow over the past 25 years, thanks to our volunteers and programming,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board. “This project creates an expanded, permanent home for AirVenture youth programming. It also gives more flexibility to feature the vintage aircraft in their true setting at Pioneer Airport, which has hosted KidVenture for the past two decades.”
Discovery Park will include an expanded KidVenture area, a new TeenVenture area for older youth, a base for the EAA AeroEducate online aviation portal, and a retail space.
A capital campaign will fund the facility as it is built with private donations, EAA officials said.
Four cornerstone gifts have already been committed, with the Tracy Forrest Foundation, True Blue Power, Dan and Keena Schwinn, and Bob and Susan Donahue pledging support for the project.
Construction will formally begin in mid-August on the AirVenture grounds, with architectural design by BlowfisH Architects of Ripon, Wisconsin, and general contracting by Cardinal Construction based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
“This effort fulfills the part of EAA’s mission to educate, inspire, and engage youth while promoting The Spirit of Aviation,” said Margaret Brill, Vice President for the EAA Aviation Foundation. “We have seen the difference that comes when young people are connected with the possibilities of flight, and Discovery Park will further enhance that engagement.”
For more information: EAA.org/DiscoveryPark
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