Kids & Family

6 Things You Didn't Know About Sky Park: Steve Wozniak Crashed There

The airport operated in Scotts Valley from 1947 to 1983.





It's been 30 years since Santa Cruz Sky Park closed, but the airport will get a permanent tribute this weekend when volunteers paint an aviation-themed mural on the side of the Scotts Valley Library.

The airport operated for 36 years, starting as a private aviation field focused on training pilots under the terms of the G.I. Bill. Later it became a municipal airport leased to a private operator by the city of Santa Cruz. When the lease expired in 1983, Sky Park closed.

Today, Skypark is Scotts Valley's largest city park with a skate bowl, soccer fields, dog run, walking paths and a playground. Its aviation ties are limited to emergency medical helicopters landing on the fields.

Here are six lesser known factoids from the heyday of Santa Cruz Sky Park, the airport:

  1.  Sky Park was developed when the Capitola Airport was abandoned in the 1950s, according to a history of California airfields compiled by Paul Freeman.
  2. The Santa Cruz City Council approved the purchase of the 45.8-acre Sky Park property from owner Jack Graham for $197,000 in 1962. 
  3. Sky Park was annexed by the city of Santa Cruz in 1964, the year after officials urged the property not be included in the plans for Scotts Valley.
  4. Apple Computer Co-Founder Steve Wozniak crashed his V-tail Beechcraft Bonanza on takeoff for a flight to San Diego at Sky Park Airport with three passengers aboard in 1981. He suffered facial injuries and temporary short-term memory loss for five weeks following the accident, according to Wikipedia.
  5. President George H. W. Bush landed at Sky Park when he visited the region following the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
  6. There still is a 100-yard section of the runway remaining at Sky Park.
Here's how to help with the mural this weekend. It might be a good opportunity to share your new knowledge of Sky Park, the airport.


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