Senate Passes Bill to Expand Dayton Aviation Park

The unanimous vote would add about one acre to the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, pending House approval.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in National Parks

Senate Passes Bill to Expand Dayton Aviation Park

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to amend the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 and expand the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio. The bill would add about one acre to the park, whose boundaries can only be adjusted through an act of Congress.

Why it matters

The expansion is expected to help ensure the park can operate effectively, according to its sponsors, and it would mark the third time the park has grown since it was established. The bill still must be approved by the House of Representatives before it can be sent to the president for signing.

The bill would add about one acre to a park that currently contains four sites and has been expanded twice since its establishment. Its boundaries can only be changed by an act of Congress, and the House has not yet acted on the measure.

The players

Jon Husted

A U.S. senator from Ohio who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate.

Bernie Moreno

A U.S. senator from Ohio who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate.

Mike Turner

A U.S. representative from Ohio who co-sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives.

Greg Landsman

A U.S. representative from Ohio who co-sponsored the bill in the House of Representatives.

The details

The bill, first introduced in July 2025 by Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno and by Reps. Mike Turner and Greg Landsman, passed the Senate by unanimous consent. National Aviation Heritage Area Executive Director Mackensie Wittmer said the expansion addresses a critical need for the park.

1992: Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act enacted.
July 2025: Bill first introduced in the Senate and House.
November 11, 2026: Senate unanimously passed the bill.

Travel Outlook

The bill extends the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992, continuing a pattern of congressional boundary changes that has now expanded the park twice before. Because only an act of Congress can adjust its boundaries, each expansion requires new legislation rather than administrative action.

If the House approves the bill and the president signs it, the park will gain about one acre, which may change where visitors can walk or tour its sites. Travelers planning a visit to Dayton's aviation sites should check the park's current site list before going.

The takeaway

Expanding a national park here requires an act of Congress, so changes to Dayton's aviation heritage sites move through the legislative process rather than through the park service alone. Watch for House action to see whether the one-acre expansion becomes law.