Woy Woy WWII airfield: New Park named The Runway

Busy Trafalgar Ave — between Woy Woy and Umina Beach — was once the landing spot for American bombers during WWII. This week, a park has officially been named in honour of the area’s wartime history.

Woy Woy WWII aerodrome looking toward Umina Beach at Lion Island.

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Few people driving down Trafalgar Ave at Woy Woy would realise the busy thoroughfare was once a war time airstrip.

These days it’s all asphalt road and suburban homes, but more than 70 years ago the aerodrome was part of a network of airfields used by the Royal Australian Airforce in its strategy to combat invasion.

This week that far off wartime history was officially recognised in the naming of a small park on Trafalgar Ave (between Alma and Waterloo Avenues).

Woy Woy WWII aerodrome: Google map showing Trafalgar Ave today.

Central Coast Council and the Geographical Names Board has taken the advice of Umina Community Group to name the park The Runway.

Local history enthusiast Steve Spillard has extensively researched the history of the aerodrome which he details in his blog All things Woy Woy.

Mr Spillard’s blog explains that the airfield was constructed by Army for the RAAF in the early years of the war as a satellite of Schofields military airfield in north western Sydney — which was itself a satellite for the major RAAF Base at Richmond.

Woy Woy WWII aerodrome will be remembered in the name of a New Park called The Runway.

Mr Spillard’s research reveals that the Woy Woy airfield was used for refuelling and repair stops by aircraft travelling along the coast, and by American bombers that landed regularly.

After the war the airfield was returned to original owners, sold off or even used for joy flights until the building of more homes made it dangerous to keep using it as an airfield.

You can see pictures and read about what happened when a plane flew into a local home over on Steve Spillard’s blog.

Central Coast Council began negotiations with the Umina Community Group and other residents in 2017 The grassed park has been developed into a beautiful and engaging open space community space.

The works included the construction of a 120 metre pathway, installation of a safe and engaging playspace and landscape works including the planting of more than 3000 plants and 30 trees.

■ Other war stories: Read about The Central Coast’s top secret WWII radar base in Bouddi National Park.