DEL VALLE PARK - The Airplane Park Honoring America's War Heroes

Located on the corner of Arbor St. and Woodruff Ave., Del Valle Park was named after Jose del Valle, a liberator and statesman of Honduras. This popular park is also known as "Airplane Park" for the Douglas F3D "Skyknight" jet fighter proudly displayed on the southwest corner of the park.

The jet in 'Airplane Park'

Lakewood's memorial, in the form of a Marine Corps jet fighter from the Korean Conflict, is a decommissioned Douglas Aircraft Company F3D "Skynight" fighter -- originally a gift from the Defense Department. In 1963, the refurbished plane was lifted on to a concrete pylon, nose up as if taking off over Woodruff Avenue, and repainted in Marine Corps colors and insignia. On Memorial Day 1964, the jet and pylon were officially dedicated as a memorial to those from Lakewood who had fought in the Korean Conflict. With the help of American Legion Post 496, Del Valle Park then became the location for annual Memorial Day programs.

The Freedom Tree Memorial

In 1972, as the Vietnamese War began drew to a close, the city council honored Captain Darrel Pyle, then a captive of the North Vietnamese government, and placed a plaque recognizing his prisoner of war status near the pylon. He safely returned from Vietnam at the war's end in 1973.

The city also beganthe tradition of recognizing the young men of Lakewood who had fallen in Vietnam at the Memorial Day observances jointly sponsored by the city and Lakewood's veterans organizations.

Aside from these memorials, the 12 acre park also has a Youth Center as well as baseball fields, soccer fields,basketball courts, skateparks and several children's playgrounds. The memorials are a constant reminder of our veterans' and soldiers' sacrifices. The surrounding communities of Lakewood and Long Beach also take part in maintaining the image of the park.

Memories of all of America's conflicts in the twentieth century eventually gathered at the Del Valle memorial. A generous contribution from the family of the Reverend Dr. John Bonner provided a plaque that specifically recalled the contributions of World War II veterans.