Airport's farewell party postponed

by Jeff Trently/The Times

Thursday April 03, 2008, 2:51 PM

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP -- Twin Pine Airport's final flight takeoff has been moved from Saturday to Sunday because of expected rain.

The 51-acre airport -- one of the nation's oldest grass-strip fields and a place where famed aviator Charles Lindbergh once touched down -- will then be shut down and converted into athletic fields to be owned by Hopewell Township, Lawrence, Hopewell Borough and Pennington under the county's Mercer at Play program.

The program matches municipal contributions for outdoor recreational facilities but doubles the match when municipalities apply for a grant together. The airport was purchased by the four towns this year.

The airport's owners, William and Jean Weasner, said tax increases forced the sale. The Weasners had hoped to sell the airport as an airport, but those hopes never came true.

The final flight will be 12:30 Sunday afternoon. Flyovers by vintage aircraft, music by a bluegrass band and refreshments will be offered throughout the day.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes and other officials will deliver brief remarks at 11 a.m. Youth sports teams and airplane enthusiasts are expected to attend the event, which will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The airport is on Pennington-Lawrenceville Road.

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