The original item was published from 5/30/2020 12:22:00 PM to 6/16/2020 10:09:26 AM.

News Flash

Hampton History Museum

Posted on: March 13, 2020

[ARCHIVED] ReLaunching Air Power Park! See what's restored, renewed, refreshed!

ReLaunching Air Power Park
Air Power Park | 413 W. Mercury Boulevard | Hampton, VA 23669 | 757-726-0650

What exactly is ReLaunching Air Power Park?
ReLaunching Air Power Park is not an event, but rather a refreshed and reinvigorated way experiencing cherished part of the region’s past—a 15 acre park filled with wonderful aircraft, rockets and missiles from the 1950s and 1960s that showcase Hampton’s connection to Langley Air Force Base and NASA Langley Research Center. There’s also a cool 1960s geodesic dome that contains hundreds of scale models of planes, jets, rockets and spacecraft.

We’re in year two of the five year Air Power Park Revitalization Plan approved by the Hampton City Council that will make the Park a proud centerpiece of Hampton’s Park System. In the first year we repainted and repaired all of the aircraft and rockets for the first time since 2000. Soon we’ll be installing new signs that will tell you the history and importance of all the craft on display.

More upgrades coming soon
This spring we’ll install a flag colonnade for US, State and City flags, as well as flags from all branches of the military. We’ll also relocate and remount a few of the artifacts. We’re working engineering solutions to park drainage and remounting the aircraft. In the next few years there’ll be more work to stabilize the waterfront, refurbish the geodesic dome. Finally, the refurbished park and dome will be home to new exhibits and educational programs.

Family Fun
Soon there will be other fun activities to enjoy. We’ve developed and game where you have to search for clues around the park to help solve a mystery. You can borrow our stomp rockets to challenge friends and family to see who can shoot their rockets the highest. There are gliders that you can fly outside. And in the dome there are hands-on activities to help you learn more about the planes and rockets on display.

This is also a great place where you can enjoy the outdoors
Air Power Park is situated along the city’s extensive Waterwalk, a trail that is more than two miles long leads to the Power Plant shopping and entertainment area. You can stroll, jog or ride your bike along it. There is a dock where you can load in your kayak or canoe to enjoy Newmarket Creek, and soon there will be signage to tell you more about the plant and animal life along the creek.

Stop on by!
Air Power Park is located at 413 W. Mercury Boulevard, Hampton. The outdoor park is open sun up to sunset, year round. The Geodesic dome and indoor displays are temporarily closed due to Covid-19. We welcome you to tour the restored aircraft and space vehicles, and remind you to visit in small groups and maintain social distancing to safely enjoy your experience. Come Fly With Us!

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