Pilots, County Working to Save Essex Skypark

The group of aviation enthiusiasts that operates the Essex Skypark is considering purchasing the property the community airport occupies from Baltimore County, or arrange a long-term lease with the county in order to save the popular airfield.

The Essex Skypark Association recently met with county officials to discusss ways to preserve the 70-year old aviation facility after community concerns were raised regarding its future.

Baltimore County owns the 40 acres the airfield occupies and the county wants to use the land for enviornmental conservation efforts, officials have said.

“The county seems to be putting forth a good faith effort to reach a solution that satisfies all parties involved,” said .

Vince Gardina, director of the county’s Department of Evironmental Protection and Sustainability, said previously that the county wanted to clear the 40 acres of the skypark in order to plant trees, improve water quality along Back River, replace forests destroyed by other development in the county and help to mitigate other pollution issues along the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Opponents of that plan want to preserve the skypark where former astronaut learned to fly because of its place in the community's aviation heritage and so future generations can also learn to fly.

Baltimore County has owned the property since 2000 when it purchased 500 acres from the Shapiro family through the Maryland Environmental Trust, Gardina said. The Essex Skypark Association had signed a series of five-year leases with the county since then.

Since the county's plans for the airfield became known, local pilots, residents and elected officials have expressed concerns. Among those people is County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, who helped facilitate the recent meetings.

“This needs to be solved so that the skypark is preserved and the county can deal with any environmental issues it may face,” she said.

Katzenberger said no official proposals have developed but he's encouraged by the open dialogue that has taken place with the county. His hope is that the Essex Skypark Association will eventually be able to purchase the property, which he estimates would cost around $200,000. That was the price the county paid.

Ellen Kobler, a spokeswoman for County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, said discussions will continue between all parties involved with the skypark.

“We’re exploring a number of available options and while we are not getting in to specifics right now, there are several ways this matter can be resolved to ensure everyone is satisfied,” Kobler said.

In the meantime, Katzenberger is also hopeful that long-term future can also be solidified through state legislation that would designate the facility a historic site through the Maryland Historical Trust.

Hearings on similar bills in the House of Delegates and the state Senate were held this week to debate the issue. Sen. Norman Stone, along with Dels. Michael Weir Jr., Rick Impallaria and Pat McDonough have been some of the most vocal supporters of ensuring the Essex Skypark remains a part of the community for years to come, Katzenberger said.

"This is the only small plane airport in the area," Stone said. "People who have these small planes need an affordable place to go. In addition, the Essex Skypark Association is active in the community and we don't to lose it."