Sha-Wan-Ga Valley Airport

Economic obsolescence. The airport's primary purpose was to serve the adjacent Shawanga Lodge, a resort that was part of the Catskills' 'Borscht Belt'. As the resort industry in the area declined, the lodge eventually closed and was destroyed by a fire in 2003. Without the resort to generate traffic, the airport lost its reason for existence and the valuable land was sold for redevelopment.

The airport no longer exists. The site, along with the former grounds of the Shawanga Lodge, has been completely redeveloped into a large, high-density housing community called 'The Villages at Chestnut Ridge'. The runway, taxiways, and any associated airport buildings have been entirely removed and replaced with residential streets, homes, and other community infrastructure.

The airport, which had the FAA identifier N89, was a private airfield integral to the Shawanga Lodge resort. It catered to guests who could afford to fly in on private general aviation aircraft, adding an element of luxury and convenience. It featured a single paved runway, which was extended over the years to a final length of approximately 2,700 feet. The airport was a classic example of a 'resort airport' from an era when the Catskills were a premier vacation destination, and its history is directly tied to the rise and fall of the region's resort industry.

None. The land has been permanently repurposed for residential use, and the original airport infrastructure has been completely obliterated. There is no possibility of the site being used as an airport again.