Mark Franz Private Strip

As a private-use airfield, the closure was almost certainly a decision made by the owner. Common reasons for such closures include the owner ceasing aviation activities, selling the property to a non-pilot, the high cost of maintenance and insurance, or the owner's passing. There is no evidence to suggest the closure was due to a specific accident, regulatory action, or economic downturn.

The site of the former airstrip is now completely reclaimed by nature. The runway is no longer visible or functional, having been overgrown with grass, shrubs, and trees. The land is part of a private, rural residential property and shows no signs of its past use as an aviation facility. There are no remaining airport structures or markings.

The airstrip held no major historical significance on a national or regional level. Its purpose was strictly for private use by its owner, presumably Mark Franz. It would have supported general aviation operations, likely involving one or more small, single-engine aircraft for personal, recreational, or business travel. The facility consisted of a single, unpaved (dirt or grass) runway approximately 1,800 feet in length, suitable only for STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) capable aircraft.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the Mark Franz Private Strip. The prospect is extremely low to nonexistent. Re-establishing an airport, even a private one, on this site would require a significant private investment from the current landowner to clear the land, rebuild the runway, and complete the necessary FAA certifications. Given its long period of abandonment, reopening is considered highly unlikely.