Lake Mathews Airport

Economic reasons and land redevelopment. Like many small, privately-owned general aviation airports in Southern California, Lake Mathews Airport succumbed to the pressures of rising land values and urban encroachment. The land became more valuable for residential development than for aviation. The owner sold the property to a developer, leading to the airport's permanent closure to make way for a housing project.

The site has been completely redeveloped into a residential housing community called 'The Landings at Lake Mathews'. All traces of the runway, hangars, and other airport facilities have been removed. In a tribute to the site's aviation history, the streets within the new development have been given aviation-themed names, such as Propeller Drive, Cessna Drive, Piper Circle, Stinson Drive, and Hangar Way.

Lake Mathews Airport (former FAA LID: L94) was a privately owned, public-use airport that served the general aviation community of Riverside and the Inland Empire for over four decades. Established around 1966, it featured a single paved 2,440-foot runway (16/34). The airport was a hub for local pilots, offering aircraft tie-downs, hangars, and a place for recreational flying. It was a classic example of a small, community-focused airfield, supporting flight training and private aircraft owners. Over the years, it was owned and operated by several individuals, including Robert and Joan Dawson, who were well-regarded in the local aviation community. Its closure represented a significant loss of general aviation infrastructure in the rapidly growing region.

None. The prospect of reopening the airport is zero. The land has been permanently and completely converted to high-density residential use, and the original airport infrastructure is gone. There is no available land or plan to re-establish an airport at this location.