Colonel Joe Kittinger Park – Orlando, Florida - Atlas Obscura
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Colonel Joe Kittinger Park

Orlando, Florida

Get up close to an F-4 Phantom flown in the Vietnam War at this Florida park. 

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Juvenile wood stork at Joe Kittinger Park Kelly Verdeck / CC BY-ND 2.0
Great egret at Joe Kittinger Park Kelly Verdeck / CC BY-ND 2.0
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This roadside park serves to honor and recognize the Central Florida Veterans that served our country and participated in the Vietnam War. The centerpiece of the park is an F-4 Phantom that was flown in the Vietnam War.

The park is named for Colonel Joseph Kittinger, who served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1978. He was a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, and after being shot down spent 11 months as a prisoner of war. In 1984, he became the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean alone in a gas balloon.

In addition to the monument, the park features a small playground and an amazing viewpoint for watching planes take off and land at the end of the runway at Orlando Executive Airport.

Know Before You Go

The park has dedicated parking off of Crystal Lake Drive, and can easily be accessed by bike from Lake Underhill Path Orlando's trail network.

vietnam war aircraft airplanes military history parks
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Published
March 24, 2023
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