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Airport playground fuels party today

Albert Whitted will unveil a playful replica, give free flights to kids and more.

By Sandee Davies, Times Staff Writer
Published February 10, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Scott Keeler | Times] A worker paints the sidewalk at Albert Whitted Airport's new aviation-themed playground at 480 Bayshore Drive, St. Petersburg.

ST. PETERSBURG - The Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society has big plans for the historic little waterfront airport. A playground that is a miniature replica of the airport, including runway and taxiway, is the first of several projects.

Created in the 1920s by projects to deepen Bayboro Harbor, the airport is considered the birthplace of scheduled airline flight and the original home of National Airlines. In the 1930s and '40s, four Goodyear blimps flew out of here.

Historic and modern-day aircraft have become the inspiration for the an aviation-themed playground.

"The equipment on the playground was all designed after aircraft of the present or the past at Albert Whitted," said Terri Griner, preservation society president and coordinator of the Young Eagles program.

Today, the first phase of the playground will be unveiled, with fun activities for all ages and free flights for children ages 8 to 17.

Other activities include aircraft displays, an Angel Flight exhibit, kid air-simulator rides, and tours of the historic park and control tower.

In addition to expanding the playground, the preservation society plans a donated National Airlines history exhibit, a series of markers along the trails exploring the airport's history, and eventually a new education center.

The free flights are provided by the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, a group of pilots who share a goal to improve aviation awareness, safety and knowledge, and promote aviation through the Young Eagles and Flying Start programs.

The preservation society is trying to raise money for the second phase of the playground, which will add a large "National Airliner."

If you go

Cleared for landing

What: Grand opening of an aviation-themed playground.

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today

Where: Albert Whitted Airport park and playground, 480 Bayshore Drive, St. Petersburg. Park in the Mahaffey Theater parking lot.

Information: Call 893-7465 or 822-1532. To download a brochure and the two consent forms for flights in advance, go to awaps.org. For information on the Young Eagles program, check eaa47.org.

[Last modified February 9, 2008, 23:09:44]