40. Community Need The Huffman Prairie Flying Field is where arguably the most amazing technological advancement in human history was perfected. It is of course where the Wright Brothers perfected the first practical flying machine and part of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. And many people can't find it. It is located on a non-secure part of Wright Patterson Air Force Base that is not easily accessible to visitors.

There is currently a 4.4 mile drive from the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center to the Flying Field itself. That current route is visually conflicting to those not familiar with the area including secure gates, military police, vehicular barricades, security warnings, a shooting range and is simply confusing with many turns causing prospective visitors to turn back. This project would decrease the length of the drive from 4.4 miles to 2 miles, and turn a circuitous trip into a direct one. The new route would directly and safely connect the Interpretive Center to the Flying Field, The Huffman Prairie located adjacent to the Flying Field and to Huffman MetroPark, increasing the number of visitors to help this park reach its full potential. The connection is also multi-modal allowing both vehicular and pedestrian traffic to easily and safely move between all amenities in the area.

Improving this access for local, state, regional, national, and international visitors will undoubtedly lead to economic benefits for the Dayton region. The Aviation Heritage Foundation is developing plans to increase tourism in the area and the Huffman Prairie site is integral to their plans. They expect heritage tourism to be a significant generator of economic development in the region. It is difficult to promote such a significantly historical site that is difficult and very uncomfortable to find.

The project would also improve access to the existing Huffman Metropark and the Huffman Dam as called for in Five Rivers Metroparks' Huffman Metropark Master Plan. This plan creates a new front door that will be shared by both the National Aviation Heritage Area and Huffman MetroPark. Without this improvement the rest of the master plan cannot be achieved.

Another benefit to this project is improved safety for park visitors and for Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Whether visitors are driving, biking, or walking to the parks in this area, these improvements will result in less conflicts and safer travel for both park visitors and Base traffic. This improved access would also reduce visitor access to the Base in areas where the public does not need to access, which would improve base security. Visitors currently have to use Gate 16A to get to the Flying Field, which is primarily used for large truck traffic deliveries.

The new access will provide safe a direct connection for a variety of visitors coming to both the Aviation Heritage Area but also to the natural amenities found in Huffman MetroPark and the Huffman Prairie making for a more meaningful experience for all users and at the same time, make the Base and adjacent roadways even safer.