recent transfers

parks by state

military closures
/reuse (BRAC)

Descriptions of Selected Park Transfers from Military Bases (BRAC)

• Arkansas

  Eaker Air Force Base - AR
  The Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority acquired 48.7 acres. The property included a recreational and fitness center.

• California

  Fort Ord - CA
  The City of Marina, California, acquired two parcels. A 27.2 acre Equestrian Center was deeded on April 13, 1998 and a 24.8 acre Sports Center was deeded on April 30, 1998.
  
  Mather Air Force Base - Sacramento, CA
  NPS deeded 29.9 acres on September 1, 1994 to Cordova Recreation and Park District for Mather Sports Complex.
  
  Naval Training Center- San Diego, CA
  The transfer of 49 acres from the former Naval Training Center to the City of San Diego establishes a waterfront park on an inlet off of San Diego Bay. Preliminary plans for the property include the development of a promenade along both sides of a boat channel, use of the former parade grounds for festivals, and continued use of a child development center and sports fields and courts,
  
  Norton Air Force Base - CA
  NPS deeded 7.5 acres on January 19, 1995 to the City of San Bernadino. Parcel G-2, including 15 acres, was deeded November 26, 1996 by NPS to the City of Highland.
  
  

• Colorado
  

  Lowry Air Force Base (several parcels) - CO
  The NPS deeded Parcel V, a 32.8 acre portion, on May 24, 1999 to the City of Aurora. Parcels T, U, and X, consisting of 98.5 acres, were deeded to the City and County of Denver on December 2, 1999. They included undeveloped open space, a craft center and a gymnasium, now "forming Lowry Park and Gymnasium."
  
  U.S. Army Garrison, Fitzsimons - CO
  NPS deeded a swimming pool area consisting of 2.3 acres to the City of Aurora in May 1999.

• Florida
  

  Cape St. George - FL
  NPS transferred 6.4 acres on November 15, 1993 to Florida Department of Natural Resources, Division of Marine Resources, for public recreation and environmental education.
  
  Homestead Air Force Base - FL
  On June 27, 1998 NPS deeded 212.7 acres of land to Dade County. The property will be used as an active and passive community park, which also includes a small lake.
  
  Naval Air Station Cecil Field (portion) - Jacksonville, FL
  On March 24, 2000 a 641.7 acre portion of Cecil Field was deeded to Clay County. The property will be used for nature trails and other passive recreation. In addition, 2,016.6 acres were deeded to the City of Jacksonville The transfer includes the mostly undeveloped western portion of the installation, known as the Yellow Water Weapons Annex. Located in the densely populated and rapidly developing Jacksonville Metropolitan area, this wooded property will be used for wilderness hiking and backpacking as well as active use sports fields. A full-service equestrian center is planned.
  
  Naval Research Laboratory (Leesburg) - Orlando, FL
  On March 10, 2000 a 7.3 acre portion was deeded to the Lake County Water Authority. Property will be used for a new park, including a nature interpretation program, picnic area and nature trails.
  
  Naval Training Center, McCoy Annex - Orlando, FL
  A deed for 68 acres was issued on March 24, 2000 for a portion of the Training Center that will be used as an active recreation area, including ball fields and other park use.
  
  
  

• Guam

  Naval Air Station, Agana Lot 19 - Guam
  A deed was issued September 28, 2000 to the Government of Guam for 43.4 acres of Naval Air Station, Agana. The property will be used as the Tijan Park Territorial Recreation Area.

• Illinois

  Chanute Air Force Base - Rantoul, IL
  The Village of Rantoul was deeded 22 acres of recreational land on September 21, 1999.
  
  Libertyville Training Site, IL
  The Village of Vernon Hills acquired 38.3 acres of this former Navy site on August 7, 200 to be used as recreation fields.
  
  

• Indiana

  Fort Benjamin Harrison - Lawrence, IN
  On October 23,1995 the golf course portion (229.8 acres) of the base was deeded to the State of Indiana, Department of Natural Resources.
  
  Indiana Army Ammunition Plant - Charlestown, Indiana
  NPS deeded 858.6 acres on December 6, 1993 to the State Department of Natural Resources for a new state park along the Ohio River.
  
  Jefferson Proving Ground, Madison, IN
  On September 8, 1999, 221 acres were deeded to Jefferson County for use as a forest, lake and picnic area.

• Maryland

  Gaithersburg Nike Site, Gaithersburg, MD
  NPS transferred 22 acres to the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission on April 29, 1996. The property is being developed as a park that includes athletic fields, trails, a playground and picnic area.

• New York

  Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Plattsburgh, NY
  On April 4, 2000, 32 acres were deeded to the City of Plattsburgh as open space and lake shore to be used for trails, picnicking and a boat launch.

• Pennsylvania

  Charles E. Kelly Support Facility/GAT, Collier Township, PA
  12.3 acres, surrounded by a new residential subdivision, were transferred for parks and recreation.
  
  Naval Air Warfare Center, Warminster, PA (three parcels)
  An active and passive recreation area of 93.7 acres was deeded to the Township of Northampton on November 20, 1997. The Oreland Rock Quarry parcel, consisting of 14.3 acres was deeded to the Springfield Township on February 3, 1999 and will be used as a nature center and trails. And, 242.9 acres was deeded to the Township of Warminster on March 22, 2001 to be used for sports fields, walking and bicycling paths, a skateboard park, a community center including an aquatic center and performing arts stage for community events, and open space.
  
  

• Rhode Island
  
  U.S. Construction Battalion Center-Davisville,RI
  The Town of North Kingstown was deeded 189 acres on October 17, 2001.

• South Carolina

  Naval Shipyard/Station, Charleston, SC
  25.4 acres of marina high ground and submerged lands (adjacent to wetlands) was deeded to Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission on December 4, 2000.
  
  Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, Myrtle Beach, SC
  The National Park Service deeded 292.44 acres to the City of Myrtle Beach for a new regional park. The property consists of a gymnasium, ball field complex, youth athletic fields, recreation center, duck pond, and the well-known Whispering Pines Golf Course.
  
  
  

• Texas
  

  Naval Air Station - Dallas, Grand Prairie, TX
  On October 4, 2001, 47.94 acres was deeded to the City of Grand Prairie in two phases.
  
  Naval Air Station - Duncanville, TX
  Three acres were deeded to the City of Duncanville in late 1998 for development of a new swimming pool, landscaped walkway, jogging trial, a park entrance and expanded parking.

• Virginia

  Cameron Station - Alexandria, VA
  NPS deeded 54 acres to the City of Alexandria on April 3, 1997 for the development of a new community park, Ben Brenman Park.
  
  Defense Mapping Agency Nike Site - Herndon (Fairfax County), VA
  11.7 acres of upland property for park use were deeded on April 30, 1999 to the County of Fairfax.
  
  Naval Reserve Center - Staunton, VA
  NPS deeded 0.6 of an acre to the City of Staunton on September 30, 1997. The property consists of an indoor recreation facility, recreational areas, and open space and will serve as the city's recreation center.
  
  Vint Hill Farms - Warrenton, VA
  On March 29, 2001 the NPS deeded 18.5 acres to Fauquier County. Property will be used for various playing fields and a local community theatre.
  
  Naval Radio Transmitting Facility- Driver - Suffolk, VA
  The Park Service deeded a 247-acre portion (June 27, 2001) and another 137-acre portion (July 14, 2003) of the Naval Radio Transmitting Facility- Driver to the City of Suffolk for a new regional park. The parcels are located in the western portion of the densely populated Hampton Roads area of southeast Virginia (suburban Norfolk). The City plans to develop ballfields, a little league area, a festival lawn, a native plant garden, and a waterfront park which will provide public access to the Nansemond River. This parcel is adjacent to and will greatly expand an 8-acre portion of this installation conveyed to Suffolk by the Federal Lands to Parks Program in 1985.
  

• Washington

  Sand Point Naval Station - Seattle, WA
  On March 17, 1999, the National Park Service deeded 93.1 acres to the City of Seattle for Sand Point/Magnuson Park, including various recreational uses. Also, in a related but non-BRAC transfer, 7.3 acres of the Sand Point Control Tower site were deeded to the city on May 23, 2000 for a community garden.

Return to Federal Lands to Parks Program's Base Closure Page

For more information about reusing military bases under Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) law, see the Department of Defense, Office of Economic Adjustment home page.