Playground Dedicated at Former Seaplane Base in Verplanck
A former seaplane base in the hamlet of Verplanck was formally recognized by the Town of Cortlandt last week with the dedication of the Jim Martin Aviation Playground.
Located on a portion of a 26-acre parcel on the banks of the Hudson River that has been renamed Cortlandt Waterfront Park, the playground cost approximately $50,000, which was funded from the town’s recreation account.
Jim Martin, a native of England, owned what was known as the Peekskill Seaplane Base since 1950. The seaplane base covered approximately six acres and included two hangars and a Quonset Hut. Between 2004 and 2005, the base averaged 1,200 aircraft operations a year. Martin also ran a small flight school and flew sightseeing tours to the Statue of Liberty and West Point.
In 1991, Martin, who was friendly with former town supervisor Jack Gaffney, donated all 26 acres to Cortlandt as part of a life estate legal agreement. Part of the agreement stipulated that a mobile home park on the property would remain at least 10 years after Martin’s death, at which time the town would turn it into a park. Martin died July 3, 2006 in Greenwich, Connecticut at the age of 87.
The seaplane base was officially removed from FAA records in 2007. Cortlandt is also planning to construct a boat launch on the site in the spring. That project is estimated to cost approximately $85,000.
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