The Cedars North Airpark hosted a fly-in and cruise-in to highlight both general aviation and the love for cars. The event brought in more than 1,000 people between participants and the general public on Saturday, Aug. 2.
“We were expecting a few airplanes and a few cars, and you can see, like, it’s insane,” Kathy McAleer, a homeowner in Battle Ground’s airpark district containing Cedars North Airpark, said while pointing out the aircraft and well over 1,000 special interest vehicles in the car show. “I think it kind of demonstrates that the airport can bring people into the city and be a community center — which is what we’ve really been trying to convince the city council, that this is worth having, and that people want it and that they think it’s cool.”
The airpark, a general aviation grass field airport in southeast Battle Ground, has been the target of zoning concerns over the years that could wipe away the ability to utilize the airstrip with airpark-side homes with aircraft hangars. Last year, a developer representing the Lawson family sought to ease development restrictions in the airpark district, requesting an increase in housing density from 2.5 to 3 units per acre in its 27-acre section. In May 2024, the city’s planning commission recommended this change. However, during a June 2024 city council meeting, dozens of local residents, pilots and aviation advocates strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that higher-density housing would be incompatible with airport operations and could lead to calls for airport closure due to noise and safety concerns, according to prior reporting in The Reflector.
McAleer provided an update on the situation with airpark development in that the zoning remains solid at 2.5 acre lots.
“We’re very supportive of them developing this into more airport lots because there’s just so much demand,” she said. “And it’s cool, like, my son got his pilot’s license, he’s 18, and the kids need a place to practice and this is a great spot to do that.”
Chris Prentice, a general aviation enthusiast and pilot who organized the event, pointed out that even airport commercial development such as hangars could generate over $1 million per year for the city.
Prentice and McAleer are hoping to expand and turn the Cedars North Airpark fly-in and cruise-in into an annual event after the major success and draw toward the air and ground vehicle display. Prentice said he had no expectation for the first event after just a few weeks of planning and social media marketing.
“I just want to bring light to this place,” Prentice said.
McAleer pointed out the loss of aviation facilities in Clark County, similar to the likes of losing golf courses over the years, as development has overtaken a couple of former golf facilities as of late.
“I think that these small airstrips are just disappearing,” she said. “Fly For Fun (a Clark County airport), they put incompatible use. It’s gonna be shut down. Evergreen shut down.”
McAleer added that helicopters utilize the airstrip for practice, even those from the U.S. military.
“I just think it adds to the diversity and interest of the community,” McAleer said of the airstrip located off of Eaton Boulevard in southeast Battle Ground.
