Astronaut Scott Carpenter in Boulder for ceremony

Astronaut Scott Carpenter is back in Boulder to attend the rededication of a park named after him.

This year is the 50th anniversary of Carpenter’s 1962 flight on Aurora 7, when the Boulder High School graduate became the second American to orbit the Earth. Carpenter is now 87 years old.

Boulder Parks and Recreation Director Kirk Kincannon said the city is proud of Carpenter, who he called an exceptional American.