Model plane airstrip planned at lake
Staff writer
An airport for model planes might be built at Marion County Park and Lake, but planning is still in the initial stages.
“The landing strip will be 30 feet wide by 300 feet long,” Lake Superintendent Steve Hudson said.
Hudson said the grass landing strip would be located where a 2012 Guiness World Record-setting marshmallow roast was held, on the south side of the lake near a disc golf course.
Hudson said constructing the landing strip will require only mowing it short and keeping it that way.
“There is a group of model plane enthusiasts locally but as far as I know, there’s not an official club,” Hudson said.
Enthusiasts approached him saying they believe the model landing strip would bring people from outside the county to stay overnight and spend money locally.
County commissioners told Hudson a liability waiver would need to be developed for anyone wanting to use the landing strip. That way if anyone’s plane caused damage or injured someone, the county can’t be held responsible, Hudson said.