The Recreational Aviation Foundation has approved a second grant for improvements to Olympic Airfield (WA45) in Port Townsend, Washington.
Washington State RAF Liaison Ray Ballantyne applied for the grant to build a multi-purpose kiosk at the airfield.
RAF Oregon Ambassador Kevin Johnson and RAF supporter Jay PerryCook developed a prototype and budget for the kiosk, where visitors will be able to charge their devices and view RAF information and general notices, protected from the weather, according to RAF officials.
The design can be used for other locations, and RAF Supporter Sherry Sherod is helping fund this and other airfield kiosks in memory of her husband, William Neal Sherod, an experienced bush pilot, officials added.
Johnson has volunteered to assemble the materials and transport them to the site, with PerryCook helping with the project, as well as volunteers from EAA Chapter 430. Property owners Ryan and Marianne Larrance will assist, and provide an excavator and lunch. The project should be complete in April 2025.
In August 2024, the first RAF grant was awarded to Olympic Field to build an off-the-grid bathhouse, which was accomplished by the same volunteers who will install the kiosk.
Olympic Airfield lies in the “Lavender Capital of North America,” and has a turf 2,500-foot runway — and an equally long stretch of water for aircraft on floats, according to RAF officials.
Ballantyne adds WA45 offers a secluded place to camp close to Olympic National Park.
“If biking, running, or hiking are your interests, the 126-mile Olympic Discovery Trail follows the Old Seattle & North Coast Railroad grade and can be accessed down the hill from Olympic Field’s campground,” he said.
For more information: TheRAF.org
