Welcome to the Grove!
England-Idlewild Park
5550 Idlewild Road
Burlington, Kentucky
USA
The Aviation Memorial was dedicated on November 26, 2011 at
England Idlewild Park in Burlington, Kentucky and provides the focal
point of the Aviation Memorial Grove. The memorial consists of 3 plaques
commemorating the accidents of TWA Flight 694**, American Airlines Flight
383, and TWA Flight 128. Land use
for the grove was provided by Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore in 2011 and approved by the victim's families. The
plaques were designed and manufactured by Mike Major Sculpture LLC of Urbana, Ohio. The plaques
were researched and written by the Flight 694/383/128 Memorial Group. The pedestal for the plaques was designed by Harvey Pelley. Construction of the
pedestal was done by Harold "Hook" Vines, Harvey Pelley and his sons, Harvey "Hoagie" Pelley Jr. and John Pelley. Funding for the project was provided by private donations.
The grove is an ongoing project with plans to add additional trees and shrubs around the memorial. In addition, pending funding, an additional plaque will be added in memory of passengers lost on Comair 444. A smaller tribute will be placed in the grove for Canada Air Flight 797 as funds become available.
The memorial was a culmination of a 3 year endeavor by the Flight 694/383/128 Memorial Group commencing on March
27, 2009 when Linda Holbrook, Mark Free, and Rollie Puterbaugh gathered
for the first
time at the Cincinnati Airport Marriott to discuss the feasibility of
placing a memorial in Northern Kentucky. In the years that followed,
several locations were considered for the placement of the memorial
including Holscher Park on the grounds of the airport, the Lents Branch
of the Boone County Public Library, the historical area in downtown
Burlington, and where it now stands in the England Idlewild Park.
The aviation memorial and grove is open to
the public during normal park hours and offers family members and local
residents a quiet location to reflect and remember those who were lost in these
events in the 1950s and 1960s. Upon entering the park, turn left at the first intersection. The location is several hundred yards down the road on the
right side. Ample free parking is available.
For additional questions, contact us at: rollie13@msn.com
**694 Plaque is the result of the efforts of the Jack Zint family.
