New Aviation Park Open at end of McCollum Runway

The highly anticipated $2.7 million, flight-themed Aviation Park adjacent to the Cobb County International Airport opened on November 10 with flying colors!  What an awesome use of the land at the end of the runway.

A large crowd celebrated November 10’s ribbon cutting where speakers included JoAnn Birrell, District 3 Commissioner, Mike Boyce, Cobb County Chairman, Kelly Keappler, TCCID Board Chairman, Tracy Rathbone, TCCID Executive Director, Mason Zimmerman, Town Center Community Alliance Board Chairman and Larry Thompson, who shared reflections on McCollum Airport.

Attendees got a close-up look at the airplane-shaped rope and cable climbing structure over a ‘mock runway’ rubber surface, standard and ADA accessible swings and an innovative climbing structure featuring an educational S.T.E.M. electronic play system.

 
The iconic aviation control tower themed building contains restroom facilities, and the airplane wing designed picnic pavilion and adjacent open green space is the perfect spot for viewing the 200 average daily take offs and landings at the international airport.

Many riders are already enjoying the Zagster Town Center Bike Share station, which was expanded with four new bikes for enjoying the beautiful Noonday Creek Trail. Future plans call for public art displays and aviation history installations.

The park broke ground in May and was 100 percent funded by TCCID and the Town Center Community Alliance. The park will be owned and maintained by Cobb County. Winter Design provided the concept for the park. Design and construction plans were provided by Arcadis, and Integrated Construction and Nobility, Inc. served as the contractor.