Meadowlark Airport facts for kids

A small Cessna 172 airplane landing at Meadowlark Airport at sunset.

Meadowlark Airport was a small airport in Huntington Beach, Southern California. It was located about a mile from the Pacific Ocean. This airport was used for general aviation, meaning smaller planes, not big passenger jets. Its special code was L16. Meadowlark Airport was open for private use in the 1940s. It then became a public airport from the 1950s until it closed in 1989.

History of Meadowlark Airport

Meadowlark Airport was bought in 1947 by the Koichi and Toyo Nerio family. Their children, Art, Yukio, and Betty, also helped. Art Nerio, the oldest son, managed the airport from 1970 until it closed in 1989. People often saw him riding his bicycle around the 80-acre airport, keeping an eye on everything.

When Meadowlark Airport first opened, there were other small airports nearby. One was Huntington Beach Airport, which had one hangar and fuel. Meadowlark Airport started as a short runway. It was mainly used by students to practice taking off and landing.

The runway was first made longer to 1,750 feet (533 meters) and paved. Later, it was extended again to 2,070 feet (631 meters). This allowed space for about 150 airplanes. The airport also added a few hangars, a restaurant, and places to get fuel. The airport was located between Heil Avenue and Warner Avenue. Today, a small street called Plaza Lane runs where the runway used to be.

Art Nerio had plans to change the airport into a place with commercial buildings, offices, and homes.

Meadowlark Today: What's There Now?

A plaque honoring the Nerio family and Meadowlark Airport.

The area where Meadowlark Airport used to be is now a community called Summerlane. Inside this community, you can find the Norma Brandell Gibbs Butterfly Park. This park has a special plaque that remembers Dick Nerio and Meadowlark Airport. It helps people remember the airport's history.