Gage Park circle is source of controversy
4:17 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A long-time model airplane contest in Topeka may soon be grounded.
People have been using a cement circle in Gage Park to fly model airplanes for years.
The loud airplanes are flown with strings above a special circle, and a competition is held at the park every Memorial Day.
But the city may stand in the way with its plans to lease nearby land to a private children’s museum, called the Discovery Center.
“That means that this Memorial weekend is our last contest,” said Melvin Schuette, Topeka Control Line Association president. “We may lose the circle altogether and if we lose our flying site, we’re going to lose our club.”
The museum would go in a large field next to the airplane circle. But, Schuette said it would cause problems with turbulence when they’re trying to fly their model airplanes.
The hobbyists said the city should put the museum somewhere else. But Schuette said he’s received nothing but resistance.
We went to Terry Bertles, interim Topeka Parks and Recreation director. He said he’s not convinced the museum would get in the way of the airplanes, but he’s also committed to helping the group move to a new location.
Schuette said he’s taking it personally and the group doesn’t want to leave the spot they’ve used since the 1940s.
A new airplane circle could be built in Matthews Park, near 37th and California. But, there’s concern the airplanes would be too loud for nearby homeowners.
Comments
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Mar. 26, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)jimmyjames (anonymous)
This story did not even deserve to be reported. Find another concrete pad or better yet build your own on private land somewhere.
Mar. 26, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)Ravie (anonymous)
Yes it did. those of us who like to use this circle, and whose families have been using it since...I think 1948 would like to keep this beautiful place where we do not disrupt anyone.
You can't just use "any" concrete pad anywhere and this one was BUILT specifically for this purpose. Also, not all of us have the money or the space to just build a flying circle.
Interesting I found this news spot the day it came out...
This is one of the last good all-american type things that kids can get into that's fun, easy, cheap, and keeps kids out of trouble. we have enough of that in this area.
BTW, FWIW, I've also seen R/C planes and kites being flown at this circle. So it's not just one group of people that use it.
For those of us whom this is important to, it was well deserved to be reported.
Mar. 27, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)drolley (anonymous)
I'm from Denver. I've attended the Memorial Day contest in Gage Park since about 1980. We regularly gather there with friends their from Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Missouri. Folks have come from as far away as Florida to attend the contest and to visit with their friends in Topeka. My son learned how to fly a model airplane in Gage Park. His instructor was a friend from Iowa. Youngsters that have grown up building model airplanes and flying them at Gage Park are now pilots flying for the airlines. Some of them have represented the USA in international model airplane competition all over the world. It is activities like these that help young people learn creative skills and then calls upon them to stretch those skill to a higher level. And for the older members of the club, it provides a hobby that allows them to unwind from the hectic modern pace our lives seem to demand.
It is not just the paved circle that affects the model airplane enthusiasts. The grassy area proposed for the new building is used to teach children and others how to fly model airplanes. The grass provides a softer surface when the budding model pilot misjudges and bounces his or her model off of the ground.
The Gage Park provides an open area for this activity that does not have neighbors so close that they are bothered by the noise and enjoyment that comes from this hobby.
It is a shame that the city wants to lease land in a public park for someone to build a building. The city needs the open space in the park where the citizens and their friends can enjoy the afternoon in the sunshine participating in a creative activity more than it needs a private children’s museum at that location.
I hope the city reconsiders its decision.
Mar. 27, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)dalegleason (anonymous)
My family has attended the Memorial Day Contest at Gage Park for about twelve years now. We drive in from the Dallas area. I can only underscore what DRolley has so well posted. The flying of these planes include aspects of a Hobby, plus those of a Sport.Skills acquired from this modeling activity lead to productive citizens. Competition goes from this local level all the way to the National level and some even make it to International competitions held the world over.The last one in the USA was in 2004 and flyers from Gage Park were there.
I was present when the Veterans of World War II bronze casting, struck in 1948, was refurbished and re-dedicated at Gage, a very moving moment. I suggest those who prefer a "museum" to this historic flying field come out to Gage and read the inscription thereon.
Lastly, I would point out the economic benefits the site brings to Topeka. Adding to the day to day spending of the people who utilize the field, consider the hotels, restaurants, gasoline vendors, etc, that benefit when the contestants and their families arrive in Topeka for a week's stay.
Rather than destroy this field, I suggest citizens of Topeka would be better served if the powers that be take a look at Dallas, Tucson, Houston, Chicago, Seattle, Wichita, and many other cities that support and have even expanded their control line flying facilities. Thank you.
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