VOLUNTEERS MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AT CLARION COUNTY AIRPORT
On August 23, RAF Pennsylvania/West Virginia Liaison Chip Vignolini and Pennsylvania Liaison Andy Turner organized a successful work party at Clarion County Airport, KAXQ in Pennsylvania. Eight volunteers, including New York Liaison Doug Turnbull and Turner’s two sons accomplished multiple tasks. They built a firewood shelter and filled it with split campfire wood, cleaned the camping and seating area, and renewed the fire pit grates. They cleared the hillside, the trail from the campground to the pond, and around the pond area. They also set a post for the new “The RAF Supports This Airstrip” sign.
Vignolini brought in a portable grill and treated the group to a dinner of hotdogs, hamburgers, chips and beverages.
In 2023, Turner received an RAF grant for picnic tables and fire rings at Clarion, and he and then-Airport Manager Donald Kimball developed plans for a campground just outside the airport fence. After significant site work, visitors now enjoy a nice level site with large shade trees adjacent to a good fishing pond.
“At the work party, Andy and I discussed future improvements, such as adding a gate in the airport fence to allow aircraft parking closer to the campground,” Vignolini said. “We would also like to put in an RAF kiosk where visitors could sign in and get information.”
Clarion County airport is surrounded by 3,700 acres of rugged country with no motorized access, offering excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird watching. The 4,800-mile North Country Trail that runs from North Dakota to Vermont is immediately adjacent to the airport.
Find information on Clarion County in the Airfield Guide.
Submitted August 29, 2025
A beautiful spot where we will look forward to camping and hiking in the future! Go check out this hidden gem.