5 Cool Public Parks That Were Once Airport Sites

Airports are huge spaces that were often built next to cities many years ago. As cities grew, these airports got surrounded by buildings and streets, limiting their expansion. Eventually, these old airports were closed down and replaced by newer, larger ones built farther from the city center. What happens to all that space once an airport is gone? In many cases, these areas were transformed into public parks. Here are five examples from around the world where airports turned into vibrant city parks.

1. Berlin Tempelhof Airport, Germany

Berlin Tempelhof, one of the oldest airports in Germany’s capital, closed in 2008 and has since become one of the largest urban parks in the world. When it was active, Tempelhof was among the iconic airports in Europe before and during World War II. After shutting its doors to air traffic, the space was reimagined as a public park, offering Berliners a vast green haven in the heart of their city, even bigger than New York’s Central Park.

This great park, known simply as Tempelhofer Feld, includes features such as long runways that are now popular with skaters and cyclists. There’s plenty of space for picnics, sports, and outdoor concerts, making it a cultural hub as well as a recreational area. The park retains historical buildings and installations as a reminder of its rich past, while balancing modern leisure activities making it a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike.

2. Floyd Bennett Field, NYC

In New York City, Floyd Bennett Field was once a bustling airport opened in 1930 and was the city’s first municipal airport. After its closure to regular air traffic in 1970, it transformed into a unique public space. Nowadays, it’s part of the Gateway National Recreation Area and offers a mix of natural and recreational areas spread over 1,300 acres.

From biking, archery, and ice skating to fishing and camping, the diversity of activities available at Floyd Bennett Field is impressive. The National Park Service manages the site, ensuring visitors can enjoy a wide range of programs. The park also honors its aviation heritage by preserving some aviation uses; hobbyists can fly radio-controlled aircraft, and part of the runway supports the New York Police Department’s helicopter operations.

3. Mexico City Texcoco Airport, Mexico

Mexico City’s Texcoco Airport is an unusual story—it started as a project for a new massive international airport, initially announced in 2014. The ambitious new airport was canceled in 2018 due to political changes and public referendum results. Instead of an operational airport, the space is being turned into Lake Texcoco Ecological Park, a vast area dedicated to public use and ecological restoration.

When completed, the park will cover about 29,500 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in the world. The plan is to reintegrate the area with the surrounding ecosystem, providing a huge new green lung for the city of Mexico City, built on the drained lake Texcoco, which was historically a significant area for the Aztecs.

4. Ellinikon International Airport, Greece

Athens’ Ellinikon International Airport served the capital of Greece for over six decades before it ceased operations in 2001. The sprawling airport lay unused for years until plans were made to convert it into Hellenikon Metropolitan Park, a green oasis amidst the urban expanse. This project aims to offer residents and visitors a blend of lush landscapes and modern amenities.

Today, the development of Hellenikon includes not only parklands but also luxury residences, shops, and cultural venues. The park design features over three million plants and thousands of trees, creating a serene environment. This transformation from an old airport into a vibrant public space illustrates a shift towards more sustainable urban living.

5. Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California

Located in Irvine, California, the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro has been redeveloped into the Orange County Great Park. This airbase was a significant military site and played a crucial role in the history of aviation on the West Coast. It was decommissioned in 1999 and since then, efforts have been made to repurpose the site into a comprehensive public park.

Orange County Great Park spans several hundred acres and includes facilities for sports, arts, and agricultural activities. The park is a testament to the community’s focus on enriching the cultural and recreational life of the area. It continues to expand, with ongoing development adding more features and amenities to meet the needs of its visitors. This park not only preserves part of the region’s heritage but also looks forward to new, innovative ways of utilizing the space.