Author Topic: GSCB Field (Read 3457 times)

peabody · « **on:** October 20, 2019, 02:27:43 AM »

With sadness I report that the GSCB field on Two Bridges Road in Lincoln Park is no more!
The Stae has chosen to make it into a "Green Acres" project and has removed the fencing and sign!

The guys are searching for another site.

Andre Ming · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2019, 05:46:43 AM »

How long had that location hosted the GSCB?

It's so frustrating how that "governments" can simply decide they want to do something, and do it, and we (citizens) have no recourse.

Andre

Dwayne · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2019, 06:25:28 AM »

Wow, did you not have some kind of contract or written and signed agreement to fly there?

kenneth cook · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2019, 07:03:54 AM »

Talk about getting hit blind sided, we were just flying there a few weeks ago. How that could happen so quickly with no one having knowledge is a bit disturbing.

peabody · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2019, 07:04:39 AM »

We flew there since 1961....the previous owner liked us.....besides, it is swamp land that floods regularly.
He died.
The State bough the land from the Estate to redo a bridge and redirect traffic.

Bob Matiska · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2019, 07:08:25 AM »

I visited the field some years ago and had an interest in this situation, since I always intended to visit again, which apparently will not happen...

According to the AMA website, the property was privately owned. A search on the "Green Acres" program of the great state of New Jersey explained that the state buys property and plants trees on it. So the property owner apparently sold the land to the state, which will now plant some 300 trees this week.

I don't know what kind of agreement the club had with the owner, but I'm guessing the owner had the authority to sell the property as he/she saw fit. It's truly a shame if the owner did this without bringing the club into the conversation. Selling it without informing the club and letting it find out the hard way is pretty low, IMO. Of course, on the other side of the coin, you graciously thank the owner for the years the club used the property and ask if he has land somewhere else you might use.

I hope something works out for the club!

Bob in NEPA

Brett Buck · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2019, 07:30:37 AM »

That's very disappointing news. The first model airplanes I ever saw were at the GSCB field, when I was a small child, since we lived in nearby Pequannock. My dad took me over there one afternoon, it was like a magical place.

Brett

peabody · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2019, 09:59:00 AM »

We were lucky to have it that long.....the area's housing has been bought up and bulldozed.

Chris Sarnowski · « **Reply #8 on:** October 20, 2019, 10:38:42 AM »

Over in Whippany, there's a Bayer facility (says google) that has lots of parking lots and big lawn space. Near the intersection of Rt 10 and Whippany Road, I guess that's not far from Morristown Airport either. I worked there in the 1988 or so when it was AT&T Federal Systems. Maybe you could swing a deal for use of a parking lot on weekends.

-Chris

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Whippany,+Hanover,+NJ+07981/@40.8180184,-74.4170161,1255m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c3a7cf1cfc87d9:0x342818a170cd2779!8m2!3d40.8254055!4d-74.4022355

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #9 on:** October 20, 2019, 10:43:38 AM »

It seems rather stupid to tear up stuff and plant new trees in a flood plain. They could go through all that effort and expense and have a good flood this winter or next spring and the young plants won't survive. Or is talking common sense to government officials just an effort in futility?
I think all you east coast guys should go camp out on the property and claim it as yours, squatters rights! If you are a New Jersey resident, technically it is yours!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Dennis Toth · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2019, 12:15:39 PM »

This is sad news. Has anyone tried contacting the state elected representatives to discuss the usefulness of the land and the benefits to keeping the field for control line flying?

Best, DennisT

C.T. Schaefer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2019, 12:32:51 PM »

Memories are sprouting from my head. Stunt guys dont think about it much but there were many fierce Navy Carrier battles waged there. Record setting flights as well! I have cool picture of my club, the Livingston Flying Tires, standing in the snow for group photo when we won the club trophy at the annual Snowbird meet.
Of course, the most important thing was the meatball and sausage sandwiches served at the dual Fall meets. They were the real deal, made by the members, NJ Italian sandwiches! You would have loved it Andre!
These comments only scratch the surface! TS

Andre Ming · « **Reply #12 on:** October 20, 2019, 01:15:40 PM »

With this revolting turn of events, I am even MORE thankful I was able to attend GSCB's VCF meet in 2015. So sad that I won't be able to repeat such a visit under any circumstances now.

The old field will always be a special to me.

Prior to GSCB's VCF 2015, I had never been to GSCB's field. However, having read the name "Garden State Circle Burners" in the "Events" section of the American Modeler since a lad, and knowing Larry for so long, as well as De Hill's VHS tape showing footage of GSCB's meets and Larry's basement, the place was already special to me, and I had never been there as yet!

As soon as I pulled into the place back in September of 2015, I could literally "feel" the history of the place.

I'm sick at heart along with all those called the GSCB field "home", as well as all those that have memories of the field that far transcend mine.

Such a sad day.

Andre

Andre Ming · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2019, 01:22:51 PM »

Tom:

Yes, that sandwich sounds delicious!

You East Coast Crazies KNOW how to create some mouth watering sandwiches... and PIZZA! Even the "cheap" pizza up there is EXCELLENT! ("Cheap" - Available at small places here/there and not at a place of local renown.) We ate pizza several times while up there and was NEVER served a bad pizza! Even the take-out pizza provided by the club at the field that day was EXCELLENT!

Field:

How far is the Middlesex field? (Is that field the "UMAC'ers?") Would the UMAC field be available for GSCB's contests/events as a temporary measure until GSCB can find a new home?

Andre

Al Ferraro · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2019, 06:22:19 PM »

Field:

How far is the Middlesex field? (Is that field the "UMAC'ers?") Would the UMAC field be available for GSCB's contests/events as a temporary measure until GSCB can find a new home?

Andre
[/quote]
The UMAC’s field in Union NJ behind ESNA, has be gone for over 25 years. The Middlesex field is a 40 minute drive away from the GSCB field, it has been under attack in the past a few time from the town wanting to convert it into a soccer field. Our club the Middlesex Modelers had to attend town board meetings to protect the field from that fate.
Al

Scott Richlen · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2019, 08:07:32 PM »

You guys need to visit your local state representative and explain to him how the state government has inadvertently "injured" you. This was an established activity that has ceased due to the action of your state. As citizens of this state you have been harmed by the loss of use of this property. What does the state intend to do to restore you? (Your lawyer will have better words to use then mine.)

Remember to trot out all of the P.C. categories: your old, you have minorities, you have disabilities, etc.
Remember to validate the benefits of the use of the property including the personal benefits to the members (and many others) over many years.

You'll probably have to start with a staffer in your representative's office and work your way up the political food-chain. You need to meet with them and get them to help you: ask many questions and understand the situation completely! Do not demand!!! You need to draft a concise, purposeful, but respectful letter for you, your spouse, your relatives, your neighbors, anyone who has ever flown at that field, anyone who appreciates the benefits of participating in a hobby, etc.to send to the representative's office (just make sure that that person is the proper recipient.)

Who are the members of the legislative committee with oversight of this Green organization? with oversight of public land use? Meet with their staffers - how does the state compensate for incidental injury caused by their activity - how can they help you find a new flying site?

One of you needs to create a "talking points" notebook to use for these meetings so you are all singing from the same songsheet.

Decide that you will have the stamina to see this through.

P.S., be very careful who you pick to lead the charge and to speak for you. This is the chance for some of the thoughtful, quiet guys to make their mark.

Good Luck!

De Hill · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2019, 08:36:30 PM »

I attended several October contests at the GSCB field in the late '80's and early '90's. During these visits I met John Miske, Larry Scarinzi, Ski Dombrowski, Windy Urtnowski, Jimmy Casales, Bob Hunt and many others whose names I have forgotten.

These contests were wonderful; at that time, the GSCB had one on the largest C/L clubs in the USA. For the noon meal, the club old timers served homemade ethnic food cooked by their wives. It was great!

I was up there around 1990 with a friend who we will call Walt. We were staying at a Holiday inn, and I went to bed early. Walt, who liked to drink, went down to the bar. A local high school was having a reunion, and all you had to do to get free booze was to pick up a name tag from a table and start drinking. Walt picked up a name tag that said Jimmy Jones ( or something) and started drinking. After several drinks, a woman walked up to him and said" Jimmy! You don't look right , what happened?" Walt said " I've been sick!". Shortly, everyone figured out the deception, thought it was funny, and allowed Walt to continue drinking.

Walt was lucky that way.

It's too bad the GSCB field is gone It was a magical place.

Reuben MacBride · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2019, 11:52:25 PM »

I may be living now 3000 miles from Lincoln Park but my heart is still hurting for the loss of that field. I joined the GSCB back in 1963 and held positions as dues collector, Membership Chairman, Vice President ,President and than Treasury . I am still on that club roster . The land is useless for building on since it is a flood area. The owner of the property owned the land from the bridge to the golf coarse. He had hoped for it to be bought by the state to make a reservor on the land. But i guess trees cost a lot less and will shut down any use of the property to the modelers.

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2019, 08:46:00 AM »

Sorry to hear about losing the field. I've never seen it but have seen it spoken of so many times over the years. In the KC area and Topeka we've lost a number of flying site over several decades. The most famous field lost was the original Swope Park field next to the old KC Chiefs training field. There deep under the now-soccer sports complex lies a CONCRETE flying circle over a foot thick built by the city about 1960. That was lost about 1975 or thereabouts. Really since then the CL fliers in the metro have been vagabonds, obtaining and losing flying sites regularly. Here on the Kansas side of the line we are on our third field in about five years. We think we'll have this one for OUR duration.
What seems unusual about the loss of Lincoln Park is taking away something that was actually used (albeit a lot less than in the 'old days) and populating it with trees, making it mostly useless for anything. At least in most cases here the fields were lost to a soccer field (don't get me started about soccer), a water park, a day care center or some other actual use for the land. Our field previous to this one we lost because the city was going to tax the property owner for the land if was used for anything other than growing weeds (hay). I'm not against trees but we have millions of square miles of trees in this country where they aren't bothering anyone. Taking away usable land and making it unusable sounds unproductive. There just must be other motives....

Dave

De Hill · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2019, 02:27:38 PM »

On a different note, The Wichihawk C/L club in Wichita Kansas has a splendid flying field, but only 3 members left. They have two paved circles and three grass circles. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, they had huge contests. The Wichihawks have literally died off. They didn't get new members, and the old ones passed away.

The wheels are coming off the Controline sport everywhere.

I don't know how to fix it.

Peter in Fairfax, VA · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2019, 03:24:06 PM »

Briefly, one way to fix participation is to encourage folks already involved by supporting their efforts to fly, collect, build and compete.

To our good fortune, this is happening. In our club, NVCL, we have airplane give-aways nearly every club meeting. Some of them end up at the field, some in private collections. Both destinations are fine. Checking the pits at local contests and our regional contest, Brodak's, you see a lot of planes with hastily re-done AMA numbers.

Peter

YakNine · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2019, 05:45:55 AM »

I was warmly welcomed to the Circle Burners about 7 years ago after not flying for about 35 years, I took my first flight on the old club trainer at the annual New Years Fun Fly got the dizzies and stuck it in! We refueled it put another prop on and it slowly came back to me, I flew the whole tank out and landed to a round of applause, these guys were actually happy for me I was ecstatic! I am not a proficient flyer by any means I am happy to just fly in circles once or twice a year. I really enjoyed the field but to me the club is the great bunch of guys who treat me as an equal , and the memories I have made meeting and being welcomed by them , I hope we find another field and am sure we will but I am proud to be a Circle Burner! Long live the G.S.C.B. TJ Hart

Steven Mac Bride · « **Reply #22 on:** October 24, 2019, 08:37:47 PM »

This news is a great disappointment as it was my home field.
I started in the hobby learning how to fly control line there with my father and grandfather.
Made many friends and met many of the best competitive flyers.
I grew up at this field learning to fly scale and becoming a JR Nats Winner to advancing to a senior and open competitor.
Then also as that started to dwindle down I learned to fly stunt and become competitive with great training of the local members.
Many memories of seeing that flying site grow and develop.
Shame to see it go

Steven

Andre Ming · « **Reply #23 on:** October 31, 2019, 08:42:23 AM »

(Sigh)

I keep watching this thread to see if there are any new postings. I guess I'm holding on to hope and wishing for a change of heart in the powers that be that have put the GSCB in this position.

Feelin' it in OK,

Andre

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #24 on:** October 31, 2019, 12:13:28 PM »

Andre,
It's gone. He was purchased strictly for wetlands credits. I won a basic flight trophy there in 1969 at 5 years old. Sad day! We are looking for a venue for vintage combat. Circle burners are actively seeking a new field as well.

Tom

Author Topic: GSCB Field (Read 3457 times)

Dwayne