Langley Park (Western Australia)

Langley Park is an open space in the central business district of Perth, Western Australia. Running alongside Riverside Drive, it is grassed, rectangular in shape and has dimensions 900 x 100 m (3000 x 300 ft). It was created by reclaiming land from the adjacent Swan River between 1921 and 1935, to provide open space near the city. [ [http://www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au/html/ser09_parks.php#langley www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au] "Langley Park". Accessed 21 March 2006]

As a pioneer of civil aviation in Western Australia, Major Norman Brearley used the park as an airstrip in the 1920s. That tradition continues with "fly-ins", where small aircraft land in the park. In 2003, to celebrate 100 years of powered flight, 10 aircraft representing each decade of the 20th century landed. [ [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?placesearch=Langley%20Park%2C%20Perth&distinct_entry=true www.airliners.net] "Aviation Photos: Langley Park, Perth". Accessed 21 March 2006] [ [http://www.toomuchfs.com/reallife/rl_flyin.htm www.toomuchfs.com] "Langley Park fly-in: Commemorating 100 years of Aviation (site now defunct)". Accessed 21 March 2006] Aircraft have also used the park to perform emergency landings. In 1997 a Tiger Moth TMK had an engine failure and put down in the park. ["Two Die As Old Plane Crashes" by John Townsend, "The West Australian", 2 March 1998] While not an official airfield, Langley Park makes Perth a place where fixed-wing aircraft can land in proximity to the central business district. [ [http://www.discoverwest.com.au/didyknow.html#aircraft www.discoverwest.com.au] "Interesting Facts Did you know?". Accessed 21 March2006]

Modern usage

Langley Park's location makes it a popular place to view the annual Lotterywest Skyworks, which are held over the river. The Telstra Rally Australia World Rally Championship held events at the park for 11 years from 1992 to 2002, and once more in 2005. [ [http://www.rallyaustralia.com.au/one/news_view.asp?id=121 www.rallyaustralia.com.au] "Telstra Rally Australia – Pulse Racing Horse Power!". Accessed 21 March 2006] [ [http://www.rallyaustralia.com.au/one/news_view.asp?id=241 www.rallyaustralia.com.au] "The Road Ahead for 2005". Accessed 21 March 2006]

During 17-19 November 2006 and 2-4 November 2007, the Red Bull Air Race World Series grand final was held over the Swan River and Perth Water, using Langley Park as the airfield.

References