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AHP Site
Location Approved Warren County magistrates unanimously approved on May 26, 2006, the first reading of an ordinance dedicating a location for Aviation Heritage Park at the corner of Three Springs Road and Smallhouse Road at Basil Griffin Park. . Carroll Hildreth, president of Aviation Heritage Park Inc. told the court, "We have been astounded at the number of people here who have had interesting careers." The group is currently restoring a F-4D Phantom II aircraft, tail number 550, an airplane that has a lot of historical significance to Bowling Green and Warren County, Hildreth said. The plane was flown by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry on 16 April 1972 when he shot down a North Vietnamese Mig-21 fighter. The 550 is presently being restored at the Bowling Green-Warren County airport. "The 550 will become the initial centerpiece for Aviation Heritage Park," Hildreth said. Additional aviation exhibits will be added to the park that will be a work-in-progress exhibit. The park will be used to memorialize people who have had significant careers in aviation. Hildreth expects to dedicate the park by next summer. Starting in July, the plane will be available for viewing at the airport. John Chovan, the same architect who did Western Kentucky University's Guthrie Bell Tower, is drawing up the plans for the park. On June 30, Aviation Heritage Park will hold a fundraiser "Hangar Party" party at the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport. "We're going to present the newly restored F-4D," Hildreth said. |
