Model planes take to the sky at Galaxy Park open house

Watch Dr. Frank Hayward take his model airplane out for a spin at Galaxy Park Model Airfield

Holden Seyer barely let his father finish eating lunch before pulling him out to edge of the field so he could launch a model plane into the air. The 3-year-old jumped up and down at his father's feet clutching small model plane toys in his hands.

It was one of many flights Sunday at the Galaxy Park Model Airfield open house in Cape Girardeau. The park takes advantage of the old solid waste landfill off Highway 177.

Members of the Southeast Missouri Modeler's Association and generous community members leveled three acres with leftover dirt from the River Campus, poured gravel for parking and installed fencing and pavilions. Now the public and SEMMA fliers can spread their wings in Galaxy Park year round.

"It's really not seasonal," Doug Leslie said. "It's more fun when the weather's nice."

John Brown and his granddaughter, Cassie Hahs, flew a model airplane together on Sunday at the Galaxy Park Model Airfield. (Fred Lynch)

Sunday's skies were clear, except for the small planes looping, diving and chasing each other out at the park on Gizmo Lane, just before County Road 657.

Leslie said the 87-acre lot wasn't being used for anything, though astronomy groups and other organizations have looked at it. Because of the previous use as a landfill, no houses can be built there and the building stipulations are numerous.

"You can't do anything else with this, it has to stay open," Leslie said.

For the past 25 years, SEMMA had rented farmland near Gordonville. The farmer told the group in 2006 that he was going to use the land this year and they would not be able to fly there anymore.

SEMMA president Arnold Simmons said a member is at the field almost every weekend and on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but Galaxy Park will not have set hours. He said anyone can come fly there, but a SEMMA member must be present to open the gate on the path to the field.

charris@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246