Earl's Air Park

The airport's closure was primarily due to the death of its founder and operator, Earl Stier, in 1995. Following his passing, the family sold the property. The land had become increasingly valuable due to suburban expansion from the nearby city of Neenah, making residential development more profitable than continuing airport operations. This is a classic case of economic pressure and urban encroachment leading to the closure of a small, privately-owned airfield.

The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped into a residential subdivision called 'Air Park Estates'. The layout of the former runways is no longer visible, having been replaced by homes with large lots and streets. In a tribute to its past, the development's street names are aviation-themed, including Air Park Road, Cessna Court, Piper Court, and Bonanza Court. The main hangar building, located at the corner of W American Drive and Air Park Road, still stands and has been repurposed for use by commercial businesses.

Earl's Air Park was a significant general aviation airport for the Fox Valley region, founded shortly after World War II by Earl Stier, a decorated B-17 pilot. For nearly five decades, it was a hub for local aviation enthusiasts. The airport featured two turf runways (Runway 18/36 at 2,640 ft and Runway 9/27 at 2,000 ft). Operations were managed by the Stier Flying Service, which provided flight training, aircraft rental, charter flights, and maintenance. It served private pilots, business travel, and was a quintessential example of the community-focused airfields that flourished in the post-war era.

There are no prospects for reopening. The land has been permanently and irreversibly converted to residential and commercial use. The construction of houses, roads, and other infrastructure makes a return to aviation operations impossible.