OSHKOSH – EAA broke ground July 20 on Discovery Park, a youth aviation education hub planned for the AirVenture grounds.
The project, unveiled on opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, marks a major expansion of the organization’s youth aviation education programs during the annual fly-in convention.
Discovery Park to expand youth aviation education at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
As KidVenture continued to grow at its original location at Pioneer Airport, EAA reported that families found themselves choosing between the air show and youth activities. EAA wanted to create a safe experience that would introduce children to aviation while keeping families closer to the convention’s main attractions.
“KidVenture is impactful, but it is out of the way and most people don’t know about it,” EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton said. “I was fortunate enough to have my parents show me the world of EAA, and I want to be able to help open those doors to all kinds of kids here in Oshkosh.”
Discovery Park will include an expanded KidVenture area, a new TeenVenture area for older youth, a base for the EAA AeroEducate online aviation portal and retail space.
When will Discovery Park open for families at AirVenture?
According to a news release, four cornerstone gifts have been committed, with the Tracy Forrest Foundation, True Blue Power, Dan and Keena Schwinn, and Bob and Susan Donahue pledging support for the project.
Construction will begin in mid-August on the AirVenture grounds. BlowfisH Architects of Ripon designed the project, and Cardinal Construction of Fond du Lac will serve as general contractor.
Signs at the site say “COMING AV27,” so families should expect completion by AirVenture 2027.
“Our legacy, under my run, hopefully will be, we really didn’t just talk about the kids being important,” Pelton said. “We were able to build something to show it with our wallets and our hearts. We want to help the next generation be able to experience aviation and this is something that can definitely do that.”
More about Discovery Park and opportunities to donate can be found at EAA.org/DiscoveryPark.
If you go to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026
Emma Johnson is the Appleton Post-Crescent’s summer intern. Reach her at ejohnson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: EAA breaks ground on Discovery Park at AirVenture Oshkosh
Reporting by Emma Johnson, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emma Johnson, Oshkosh Northwestern | USA TODAY Network
