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:
- Sky Park was developed when the Capitola Airport was abandoned in the 1950s, according to a history of California airfields compiled by Paul Freeman.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- President George H. W. Bush landed at Sky Park when he visited the region following the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
- There still is a 100-yard section of the runway remaining at Sky Park.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.