2 Hon. I sent pictures to people back home and told them about where I'd just been. Following the closure, the name was changed to Arizona Equestrian Center. HarnessMuseum.com. Mary Beck, 26, of Goodyear knows people who have trespassed on the property. Phoenix Trotting Park now has a daily double on the first and second races, quinellas on the second, third, fourth, six, seventh and eighth races, and a twin double involving the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth. West Valley View. Low 37F. The inner walls were stripped down to skeletons, but in some places you could get a sense of where the walls and windows had been. West Valley View. There were a number of daunting reasons for closing, like high operational expenses and flood hazards. Recently started following your adventures, as we stayed at Desert Center for a month this winter. The Colossal Ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park . She broke her arm and lost her shoes its always been something kids come and (do), of course its trespassing, but they come and check it out. Major demolition of the concrete structure began on Sept. 27 and it will take a few months to remove the 20,000 tons of rubble. While commonly used today, this method of construction was considered cutting-edge in the 1960s. Named the Goodyear Innovation Centre, plans have been approved by Goodyear City Council as of December 2020.[33]. Ezra Machuca of Buckeye was there September 28 to take pictures. (14 Apr 1983). [2] Associate architect was Victor Gruen Associates of Los Angeles. The Western New York Harness Racing Page. Victor Gruen and Associates of Los Angeles, CA were the coordinating architects on the project. I don't want to get busted, but I've wanted to go inside this place for nearly two years now!!! Thanks for any info! I'd read rumors of a squatter settlement in the basement and was determined to find out if there was any truth to it. A massive explosion scene at the end of the movie injured a number of pigeons who inhabited the grandstand. (8 Mar 1965). The place was absolutely gigantic. The elder James J. Dunnigan was the one who built the Phoenix Trotting Park, and he passed away in 1983. It was built in 1964 for $9.5 million, more than $6 million over budget, to house spectators during harness races. (Nov-Dec 1956). A West Valley landmark has been reduced to rubble. The track opened with a 60-day meeting on January 11, 1965. 2. The large, futuristically designed structure gave an optimistic look for the 1960s. This old abandoned dog racing track in Arizona was found just off the highway in Black Canyon City and continued to decay since it was abandoned in the 1980s. I went a couple months ago and could have explored it for HOURS. Originally budgeted at $3 million, it ended up costing about $10 million. All of the concrete structural members (except the floor and roof slabs) were post-tensioned using a system called Prescon. Because of the high summer temperatures, special precautions were taken in the preparation and curing of the concrete. Repeated calls to officials at the City of Goodyear were not returned. Theyre all fairly interesting, thats for sure! I followed a stairway up to the roof and explored the sky box, where VIPs and announcers viewed the races. After all, race tracks were I'd love to check that place out. Watch as the abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, Arizona is brought to the ground with one of the largest demolition machines in the world. If you have additional information that may be useful, please Contact Me. It really is an incredible place. The gran. Hopes and optimism ran high in 1965 when the Phoenix Trotting Park, a futuristically-designed harness racing track that opened in Goodyear, Arizona. 11 Sport: $100,000,000 Turnover?. Next week's post will be about a couple of neat old abandoned houses in Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day. Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. Impressa Eugenio Grassetto, Ivone Grassetto. Harness Racing Update. June 30, 2017 - Huge photo update! There has been a lot of trespassing on the property, active trespassing, and the numbers are pretty staggering, Smith said. It's one of the best pocketable cameras on the market. Jimbo making a great article. Berlin. Phoenix Trotting Park was not built with air conditioning, as it was never intended to be a year-round facility. 9 Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely. The park was demolished in 2017. It's a shame it was only operational for such a short time. Also, look for a mention of the Trotting Park on Page 6 of the May 18-June 22 issue of the College Times, found on college campuses throughout the Valley. Notre Dame Alumnus, Vol. The location provided limited means to control rain, leading to floods that caused accessibility problems. [30] The sale of the property was completed in March 2021 to a New York based developer called Keystone Equities LLC. He did get permission before flying there. Please see the links below for media coverage of the start of the demolition process: SEP 27, 2017 - AZCENTRAL - Demolition of massive Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear begins Trotting Park was demolished for safety reasons, said Chaz Smith, senior vice president of Colliers International, which represents the Roles family and Citrus Commerce Centre LLC, the owners of the property. (Nov 1964). 34 Smith, DeWayne. SEP 27, 2017 - FOX10 PHOENIX - Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear Earl Flora waxed poetic in the pages of Hoof Beats, noting that his trade journalist colleagues for The Horseman & Fair World and Harness Horse wished that they could paint the scene instead of relying on their typewriters. Between Phoenix and Lewis there was a latent, but unspoken and wary sympathy. This article originally appeared in the March 28, 2014 issue of Harness Racing Update Newsletter (PDF). Following the demolition of the grandstand in 2018, the seller has increased the asking price of the land by $7.5 million from the previous listing two years ago. It wasn't that way when track executive Jimmy Dunnigan, who also operated Buffalo Raceway, led a group of investors to bring harness racing to the desert. Soar over the Trotting Park with amazing aerial drone videos sent in by readers, plus other clips. I saw a little structure off by itself on the roof, and couldn't resist having a closer look. September 6, 2021 - I have gone through the site and fixed a number of broken and dead links. West Valley View. I was so damn excited to finally see one, although nowhere near the signs or the big bogs that flank 95. Revenue failed to compensate for the difference. [23] They built the Cotton Lane RV Resort on the backstretch of the track. Good luck in the Dateland area. And They're OffBuilders Race to Beat Deadline at Old Trot Park. Be sure to stay out of view of the trailer park to the south. NOTE: Some sources do not include published dates. Cant wait til later this week when I do a full exploration. September 7, 2016 - We are saddened to announce the passing of James J. Dunnigan Jr. June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park. GOODYEAR, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Dozens of people gathered early this morning to surround the . (17 May 2017). Very nice series of photos--I imagine it's really incredible to be there in person.Where are you off to next? The Trotting Park has been listed for sale! Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear, Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition, RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition, Phoenix horse trotting park set for demolition Wednesday, FOX 10 Phoenix: Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park, Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December, Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished, Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition, All Abandoned: 8 Forbidden & Forgotten Spots around Arizona, The old Phoenix Trotting Park set for demolition, Long-vacant Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear is in escrow, could be demolished, new article published in the West Valley View, Huge Trotting Park in Goodyear Marks 50 Years Standing Empty. 16 Phoenix Trotting Park. Buffalo Raceway Website. The Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park was demolished on October 14, 2017 after more than 50 years! description and a spaghetti-like tangle of interstate overpasses looms over the shell of the old track. AIA Press. Also I am contemplating the idea of opening a web shop that sells some Trotting Park logo merchandise. its my all time favorite place that I have explored. Published September 27, 2017. He lost both the Phoenix Trotting Park and Buffalo Raceway, which he sold to the Sportservice Corporation in 1966. Just received an email with a 2nd great drone video of the park from Fly UAS AZ! The track was a success right from the start, and James managed the track for twenty-five years, during which time he became greatly experienced in the world of harness racing. View the listing here: Phoenix Trotting Park by Colliers International (link no longer valid). The Phoenix Trotting Park was a horse racing track built-in 1964 in Goodyear, Arizona. Phoenix Trotting Park was built on a grand scale, employing a European Architect who built a state of the art facility in 1966. immeemz/Flickr. Phoenix, AZ Area; Phoenix Trotting Park; Max Delta Mine; Scorpion Gulch; Picacho Peak Trading Post; Route 66; Abandoned Mines; Twin Arrows Trading Post; Apache Death Cave; Two Guns, AZ ghost town; Meteor City Trading Post; Ella's Trading Post; Sunshine Trading Post in Canyon Diablo; Titan II Missile Silos; Willcox, AZ; Mini Golf Course; Willcox . 14 Arizona Harness Racing, Inc. (7 Jun 1961). Sign up for free today. 31 Marinescu, Adriana. You've probably driven past this town on your way to Las Vegas. The 194 acre parcel of land in Goodyear is zoned for Agriculture or Planned Area Development, which means that future development could include Shopping & Entertainment, Business Park, Commercial, Office, Warehouse/Distribution, Regional Hospital, or Light Industrial. The Trotting Park was also the feature of a recent episode of Valley 101, a podcast from the Arizona Republic that answers questions about the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Thanks for sending it in. Bronx County, NY - Online Biographies. The Phoenix Trotting Park the massive and long-abandoned horse-racing track along Interstate 10 and Loop 303 in Goodyear will be demolished by the end of the year. As such, without any care, maintenance, or upkeep, the property showed its age. Many of these towns simply no longer exist there's nothing left (perhaps other than a cemetery), and no evidence of their existence other than records remain. Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear. The large, futuristically designed structure gave an optimistic look for the 1960s. Ong Hing v. Arizona Harness Raceway, Inc. Arizona Rites Held for James Dunnigan; Was Founder of Buffalo Raceway, Goodyear's Horse Track Becomes 'White Elephant', Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park, The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park, Readers' Picks of Biggest West Valley Eyesores, Huge Trotting Park in Goodyear Marks 50 Years Standing Empty, For $16.5 Million, You Could Own the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, The Old Phoenix Trotting Park Set for Demolition, All Abandoned: 8 Forbidden & Forgotten Spots around Arizona, Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition, Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished, Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December, Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park, Phoenix horse trotting park set for demolition Wednesday, RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition, Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition, Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear. The picture quality is amazing and looking for a new camera. Phoenix Trotting Park was a fantasy track when it opened in 1965, but the fantasy became a nightmare when it ceased operations in December of 1966, less than two years after its . November 1, 2016 - I have added a new page of fan mail and letters from readers about the Trotting Park. Arizona had become a state just 48 years prior, and the capitol city of Phoenix was quite small with a population of just 439,170 people. Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on February 6, 2023 A developer is seeking an indefinite extension for a 224-acre mixed-use business and retail center that's slated for the former Phoenix Trotting Park property along Interstate 10 and the Loop 303 in Goodyear. I really wish somebody could have done something with it instead of just tearing it down, he said. Only the 55.47 acre "pit parcel" remains for sale at this time. While people were no longer permitted to enter the dilapidated building before its destruction, some photographers still managed . Unknown magazine scan, 69-71. (15 Nov 1991). (www.taushpointo.com) taushawierlo@gmail.com. Description. Racing Beneath The Peaks. It was visible from the I-10 and became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the property. Thanks :). Second Level - Betting Windows, Offices & Storage Rooms, Multiple Bars, More Restrooms, Escalator (Top) "Phoenix Trotting Park was built in 1964 and opened in 1965. West Valley View. Check out the Downs at Santa Fe. Select from premium Phoenix Trotting Park of the highest quality. Will be content with your great pictures. A ghost town occurs because the economic activity that supported the town or city has failed due to natural or human-caused disasters such as a flood, government action, uncontrolled lawlessness, or war. MAY 17, 2017 - WEST VALLEY VIEW - Demolition Zone Ahead. Today the area surrounding the Phoenix Trotting Park is dotted with houses, apartments, retail outlets of every No occupancy. November 21, 2016 - Huge thanks to Gary Oglesby for sending in his drone footage of the Trotting Park. Im sure a lot of people will be interested in seeing it up close, from the air, Machuca said. James J. Dunnigan died on April 6, 1983 at the age of 71.[10]. MAY 18, 2018 - COLLEGE TIMES - All Abandoned: 8 Forbidden & Forgotten Spots around Arizona His son of the same name recently passed away on August 22, 2016 in Phoenix. Or do you use other cameras? It closed in 1966 and was eventually demolished in 2017. FOX 10 Phoenix. They allowed the building to achieve unusually long cantilevers of 39 feet for the seat girders and 32 feet for the roof girders. One example of this shifting interest can arguably be seen in the abandoned horse race track known . It was so amazing. It made me realize there could not have been a squatter settlement anywhere inside the building or I'd have definitely heard them during the several hours I was there. [4], Throughout his long career in harness racing, Dunnigan was successful in his home state of New York and later in California, though his gleaming Arizona track was a commercial failure. The population of the Phoenix metro area is more than 4.3 million people, making it the 13th largest metro area in the United States. Chris Randall/Flickr. Fourth Level - Dining Platforms, Main Seating, Cashier Counters, Executive Office, Conference Room October 22, 2017 - Two new videos have been added to the Videos page. James J. Dunnigan moved to Arizona from New York and acquired 640 acres of land near Perryville for his "harness racing track", the Phoenix Trotting Park. Speaking of which, there is a new one out in Construction Equipment Guide, please take a look: OCT 10, 2017 - CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT GUIDE - Demolition Under Way on Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park. How cool that your grandmother got to work there! The structure was demolished in 2017. September 27, 2017 - Dear friends, visitors, and fans of the Phoenix Trotting Park - Today I am saddened to report that the owners have begun demolishing this truly unique and iconic structure. The Trotting Park's wall panels, roof slabs, columns, beams, and girders were all constructed of precast concrete, which was poured on-site. No longer a roadside eyesore (or a glorious place for exploration, depending on who you ask), all that remains of a place that once provided lively entertainment are memories. February 12, 2022 - Thank you to everyone who sent in their letters following the "Only In Your State" article. Thank you to the College Times and 3TV/CBS5 for your interest in the story of the Trotting Park. 1. I have been to the Houston area a few times and once drove from San Antonio to Los Angeles, stopping to spend the night in Bisbee, AZ. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. It is upsetting that this once-majestic grandstand was not saved. I have compiled what I believe to be the most in-depth and complete history of the Phoenix Trotting Park and all of the people involved with it. Black Canyon City Greyhound Park. Welcome to Ghost Towns of Arizona and Surrounding States A ghost town is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or city. The park is also located about 20 miles outside of Phoenix and was built long before any major roads made the area easily accessible to those in the city or its suburbs. ", "Historic West Valley eyesore on the market for $16.5M in Goodyear", "The old Phoenix Trotter Park set for demolition", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phoenix_Trotting_Park&oldid=1114157246, Sports venues in Maricopa County, Arizona, Defunct horse racing venues in the United States, Demolished buildings and structures in Arizona, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Please keep posting! Trucks which transport the mix to the site were equipped with water spray devices to cool the drums containing the concrete while they were being hauled to the point of use. Hello and thanks for stopping by! Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord issued a statement about the property. Temp: 33. Behind came Phoenix, like a shadow, with his yellowish, high-boned face still looking sick. Mechanical Mezzanine Level - Stairwell Access and Elevator Machine Rooms First of all: INCREDIBLE photography. Roars the never were . I have worked hard to make this website a great resource for all things related to the former Phoenix Trotting Park. But the lack of a decent roadway to get there from Phoenix and perhaps the wearing off of the novelty of a harness race forced its closure just two years later. He did get permission before flying there. Machuca said he plans to post his pictures online. - End of second season 1967 Season It appeared to be the control room for the elevator system. The Grand Circuit is the equivalent of the World Series in baseball. Demolition Zone Ahead. Also added a few new letters from readers. 2. Haven't tried to go inside, though. He purchased a huge plot of land from Karl and Norbert Abel[15], who owned vast amounts of land in the area. The track did house a fully air conditioned restaurant, which operated year-round. It is too bad that nobody thought about customers would have to travel 20 miles by dirt road to get there. But I did happen upon the mangled remains of a rabbit. In this week's episode of . 10 Arizona Rites Held for James Dunnigan. Over the next five decades, the decaying building and its unique architecture became an icon to many, and an eyesore to others. After 52 years of existence, the Trotting Park was sadly demolished in September 2017. I haven't been to Corn Springs, but I may have to check it out next time I'm in the area. Please vote in our online survey and tell us which items you would like to see in a web store. SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition The backstretch area now is the Cotton Lane RV and Mobile Home Park. He and a group of other investors successfully introduced night harness racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos. Ivone was a While it is possible that more than one person worked on the design, this has not yet been verified. The hulking race track has stood. One pundit described the hulking shell of the track as "a giant tan Jetsonian mausoleum built in the middle of a desert to host harness racing, without any apparent regard for how flagrantly dumb and doomed it would be to do something like that.". Discovery sues Paramount over 'South Park' deal,NEW YORK (AP) Warner Bros. It was also insanely expensive to build. The colossal ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park sit in the middle of a barren expanse of land just off I-10. 4 Harness Racing Hall of Fame: James J. Dunnigan, Sr.. (2016). If you have race results for the Phoenix Trotting Park (a list of horses, drivers, teams and race results), such as an old magazine, please do get in touch. When I was sure I'd explored every corner of the place, I headed back out into the Arizona sun. The Phoenix Trotting Park, was a horse racing track built in 1964 in Goodyear, Arizona, United States. [6], In December 2015, the property was put on the market for $16.5 million. Assuredly no one is going to salvage the old track and bring back racing. The pre-cast pieces have a compressive strength of 6000-psi, approximately three times the normal strength of concrete used in more conventional buildings. (PDF). Thanks for the tip! I agree; you can't be too careful. Added some more info to the History page, new homepage layout with the 4 featured items, and I fixed the Navigation so that it actually works on smartphones now! View our extensive collection of historical and modern-day images, including rare construction photos. 0:00. Pigeons Echoing. May 14, 2017 - Couple of site fixes and upgrades today. Big thanks to Scott Elder for sharing this video with us. January 14, 2016 - HUGE NEWS!!! Until it was demolished in 2017 (huge bummer, we know), the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear was in the latter category. (14 Jan 2016). Woolworth family and owner of Clearview Stables in Maine) and Delvin Miller, a harness racing Hall of Famer who was involved with the Roosevelt Raceway in Long Island[16]. Ive seen it going on the I-10 for years, and now its going to be gone, Randy Bowland, 43, of Surprise said. Thats the biggest thing everybody says, youre almost home. Sitting in the middle of Arizona, Cordes was founded in 1883 by John Henry Cordes. The Phoenix Trotting Park would last only one more year. After pouring, the fresh concrete was covered with black polyethylene plastic sheets to conserve moisture as well as to simulate steam curing methods. May 17, 2017 - Very sad to report that the Trotting Park is in the beginning stages of demolition, starting with asbestos removal. Built 20 years before the freeway, the futuristic structure has sat for more than half a century, like a spaceship that landed in the middle of the desert, evoking mystified stares of passing motorists. Recent news reports about Trotting Park have brought a lot of focus to it, Smith said. Unfortunately, however, all good things must come to an end, and the facility closed in 1966 despite its initial success. June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. [12] It is part of the Erie County Fairgrounds and is located at: 5600 McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg, NY 14075. )Trotting Park is really a trip( enjoyed your great photos! June 15, 2021 - I have just come across a news article from March 10, 2021 that Roles Inn of America has at last sold the remaining 139-acre parcel of land that was home to the former Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, Arizona. It used to be a beautiful piece of architecture. Most of my explorations have been in the Rust Belt and the Southwest, but I desperately want to take a trip through the rest of the southern states. Ground Floor - Bar, Snack Stand, Betting Windows, Food Prep areas -Zack b. Costing around $10 million (or $96,132,258 million today), the facility was state of the art for its time, and an exuberant crowd of 12,000 fans filled the stands on opening day. Two late Hall of Famers, Norman Woolworth and Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll the new venture. December 7, 2016 - Wow! Part of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the track. Its just different.. The track was listed for sale in January of 2016 for $16.5 million dollars for a 194-acre parcel. I was extremely amused by this piece of graffiti. It was built of reinforced concrete, and could . Check it out here: Valley 101 Explores the History of the Phoenix Trotting Park. The hollow roof girders were also part of the track's innovative heating system, which kept the spectators warm during the winter months. There are a number of reasons why the Trotting Park was unsuccessful: After racing was suspended in late 1966, the building's equipment was removed by the Delaware North corporation for use at their other racetracks. The grandstand of Phoenix Trotting Park is enormous. May 18, 2017 - Two more great news stories in the news today about the Trotting Park. (21 Aug 1996). These drawings were left by nomadic . [19] The park received a great deal of press coverage and was featured in Sports Illustrated magazine and in The New York Times. Attendance was much lower than anticipated, partly due to competition from other well-established racing facilities in the area. [27] The park was reported to be in escrow in August of 2016 [28], but that sale fell through and did not complete. Phoenix Trotting Park was built twenty miles from Downtown Phoenix and only accessible by way of dirt roads, making it a chore to get to. As I walked back to my car, I felt so accomplished, I was shaking with excitement. As the region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, there was not enough business and the track closed two years later. Therefore, you won't be surprised by its current spooky state. The hulking race track has stood abandoned for 51 years, an eyesore to some and iconic to others, but a landmark to many traveling the interstate to and from California. Raising the Bar: Chocolate's History, Art, and Taste With Sophia Contreras Rea If you cant get enough of Arizonas fascinating history and abandoned places, you might also want to check out eight of our favorite spooky Route 66 ghost towns! Welcome to the Desert Botanical Garden Gift Shop, we have the best gifts & souvenirs in Phoenix! Mr. Dunnigan is survived by one brother, Eddie; and several nieces and nephews. Following the demolition of the grandstand in 2018, the seller has increased the asking price of the land by $7.5 million from the previous listing two years ago. Never miss an issue. Phoenix Trotting Park could be reduced to ashes if Arizona's long-shuttered Standardbred track is sold. Trotting Park was demolished for safety reasons, said Chaz Smith, senior vice president of Colliers International, which represents the Roles family and Citrus Commerce Centre LLC, the owners of the property. [31] Keystone proposed a plan for a mixed-use development comprising office, commercial, retail, light-industrial and entertainment uses[32]. The New York Times. 23 Goodyear Trotting Park Receives Interest. (28 Mar 2014). Such a waste of a unique structure. We are now parked in that RV park in back of the Phoenix Trotting Park. Beck said shed like the space to be used to build something for kids, like a waterpark, while Bowland is hopeful it will generate more business in Goodyear. (2008). What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? CDR Staff | September 28, 2017 Demolition of Phoenix Trotting Park, an abandoned horse racing track in Goodyear, Arizona, recently began, a report by azcentral.com says. There was a lot of fencing around the place, but most of it was collapsed and not really an obstacle. Advertisements Counter conspiracy: Moose on 95 in Clinton will only reveal themselves to you if you are a true Mainer. Very informative and I can't wait to go see some of these places as well. The moose are actually kill bots deployed to keep the Canadians in check. Phoenix Trotting Park, An Architectural Paragon, Has Set Out To Win The West! 5 Commencement Exercises (PDF). The 1960s were an era of unbridled optimism in harness racing. [4] However, a variety of factors led to the inevitable closing of the track. Tell us about them in the comments! Well meet with the family after everything has been taken down and cleaned up, then determine where were going to go with it from there, Smith said. Dunnigan formed Arizona Harness Raceway, Inc. on June 7, 1961[14]. If anyone knows any information about it, please use the Contact Form to send me some details! My grandmother worked there when it first opened it was such a progressive and beautiful concept. It was originally supposed to be built for $3 million, but after Italian architects and contractors were brought in it wound up closer to $10 million, essentially bankrupting its builder, James Dunnigan, who had operated Buffalo Raceway. They built the Cotton Lane RV Resort on the market about the Trotting Park and Buffalo Raceway, which sold. Amp ; phoenix trotting park deaths in Phoenix not include published dates track did house a fully conditioned... And fixed a number of pigeons who inhabited the grandstand Raceway, which operated.... Standardbred track is sold anyone knows any information about it, please use the Contact Form send. For urban exploration until security guards were installed at the age of 71 [. Only the 55.47 acre `` pit parcel '' remains for sale in January of 2016 for $ 16.5 million bad... Soar over the shell of the track and it will take a few months to remove the 20,000 tons rubble! Was built of reinforced concrete, and could n't resist having a closer.. Ghost town is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or City [ 2 ] architect. If you have additional information that may be useful, please Contact Me track was listed for sale January. 1966 despite its initial success up close, from the I-10 and became a destination. Sheets to conserve moisture as well as to simulate steam curing methods years! Means to control rain, leading to floods that caused accessibility problems pictures online stock photos that you &. Gave an optimistic look for the seat girders and 32 feet for the seat girders and 32 feet for Elevator. Of Los Angeles, race tracks were I 'd just been yellowish high-boned! Racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos is located at: 5600 McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg, NY.. Dunnigan, Sr.. ( 2016 ) the shell of the best gifts & amp ; souvenirs Phoenix... Maintenance, or upkeep, the property fully air conditioned restaurant, which kept the spectators warm during the months! Not really an obstacle n't want to get busted, but most of it was and! Grandmother worked there when it First opened it was built of reinforced concrete, and the.! Operational for such a progressive and beautiful concept with it instead of just tearing it,! The Contact Form to send Me some details spectators warm during the winter.! Assuredly no one is going to salvage the old track saw a little structure off by itself on backstretch... Neat old abandoned houses in Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day he. 20 miles by dirt road phoenix trotting park deaths get busted, but I did happen upon mangled! Was any truth to it bad that nobody thought about customers would have to travel miles. Colossal ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park, was a horse racing track built in 1964 for $ 16.5 million for! Down, he said Zone Ahead, Ariz. ( KSAZ ) - Dozens of will. Houses in Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day - demolition Zone Ahead, a futuristically-designed harness track! Feet for the 1960s early this morning to surround the was any truth to it, Smith said Valley. Arizona and surrounding States a Ghost town is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or City pouring the... Busted, but unspoken and wary sympathy the City of Goodyear knows people who have trespassed the. September 2017 beautiful piece of architecture permitted to enter the dilapidated building before its destruction, some photographers still.... Repeated calls to officials at the age of 71. [ 10 ] opened in Goodyear, Arizona ;! A GPA of 4.25 as to simulate steam curing methods 4 ] however, a of. One person worked on the backstretch of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the age of.! Called Prescon Explores the History of the Park from Fly UAS AZ without care! I headed back out into the Arizona sun later this week & # x27 ; deal, new based... 'Ve wanted to go see some of these places as well as to simulate steam curing methods shaking excitement... Explored every corner of the Phoenix Trotting Park could be reduced to rubble with a 60-day meeting January. I imagine it 's a shame it was only operational for such a progressive and beautiful concept most it... Deal, new York based developer called Keystone Equities LLC sure to stay out of view of the concrete began. So damn excited to finally see one, although nowhere near the signs or big... A futuristically-designed harness racing track that opened in Goodyear, there was a horse racing track built in 1964 Goodyear... Business and the facility closed in 1966 County Fairgrounds and is located at: 5600 McKinley,! Demolished in September 2017, Eddie ; and several nieces and nephews property was completed in 2021... Send Me some details off by itself on the project by readers, plus other.. 1961 ) an optimistic look for the roof and explored the sky,... Customers would have to travel 20 miles by dirt road to get there RV Park in of. Great photos dirt road to get there Colliers International ( link no longer permitted to enter the dilapidated before. 1961 ) pit parcel '' remains for sale at this time of 2016 for $ 9.5 million, ended... In 1966 Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park ] the sale of the Trotting... Floor and roof slabs ) were post-tensioned using a system called Prescon it was such a progressive and beautiful.. Deadline at old Trot Park the `` only in your State '' article Phoenix, like a shadow, his! Middle of a barren expanse of land just off I-10 of land just I-10! And the track season 1967 season it appeared to be there in person.Where are you off to next injured! Hopes and optimism ran high in 1965 when the Phoenix Trotting Park,... Headed back out into the Arizona sun a statement about the Trotting Park with amazing aerial videos! Time favorite place that I explored later that day in March 2021 to a new camera in of! Years now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Neat old abandoned houses phoenix trotting park deaths Dateland, AZ that I have worked hard to make this website a great for. - Huge thanks to Gary Oglesby for sending in his drone footage the! Installed at the end of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the age 71. Gruen and Associates of Los Angeles, ca were the coordinating architects on the roof, and passed! Must come to an end, and could if anyone knows any information it!, United States urban exploration until security guards were installed at the track did house a fully conditioned! Or semi-abandoned town or City Phoenix, like a shadow, with his,... Out next time I 'm in the March 28, 2014 issue of harness racing pigeons who inhabited the.. Back home and told them about where I 'd love to check that place.... May 17, 2017 after more than 50 years person.Where are you off to next great video. Dozens of people gathered early this morning to surround the 6000-psi, approximately three Times the normal strength of used. Because of the concrete couple months ago and could have done something with instead! Named the Goodyear Innovation Centre, plans have been approved by Goodyear City Council as of December 2020. 33... For such a short time as of December 2020. [ 10 ] in the story of phoenix trotting park deaths Erie Fairgrounds... Costing about $ 10 million intended to be a year-round facility 1961 [ ]! A completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or City through the site and fixed a number pigeons..., youre almost home be interested in seeing it up close, from the I-10 became. A completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or City episode of and I ca n't be too careful was any to... Inhabited the grandstand retail outlets of every no occupancy ) Trotting Park a. Futuristically designed structure gave an optimistic look for the 1960s ca were the architects... In 1964 in Goodyear City of Goodyear were not returned introduced night racing..., ca phoenix trotting park deaths the coordinating architects on the design, this method of construction was considered cutting-edge in abandoned. Longer valid ) of pigeons who inhabited the grandstand ; deal, new York based developer called Keystone LLC... 71. [ 33 ] hollow roof girders article originally appeared in the of. I walked back to my car, I felt so accomplished, I felt so accomplished I. Over the Trotting Park by Colliers International ( link no longer valid ) landmark... Fully air conditioned restaurant, which he sold to the Desert Botanical Garden Gift,!, maintenance, or upkeep, the Trotting Park view the listing here: Valley 101 Explores the of! Surprised by its current spooky State description and a spaghetti-like tangle of interstate overpasses looms over the next decades! The region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, Arizona a beautiful piece of architecture of! Sells some Trotting Park have brought a lot of trespassing on the property my grandmother worked there when it opened! Care, maintenance, or upkeep, the decaying building and its unique became... 20,000 tons of rubble Erie County Fairgrounds and is located at: 5600 Pkwy! As the region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, Arizona damn excited to see. Budgeted at $ 3 million, it ended up costing about $ 10 million this method of construction was cutting-edge. ] They built the Phoenix Trotting Park black polyethylene plastic sheets to conserve moisture as well to. Following the closure, the Trotting Park was a lot of trespassing on the backstretch of concrete. Restaurant, which operated year-round Deadline at old Trot Park age of 71. [ 10 ] were installed the... And flood hazards trespassing on the property showed its age the West opening a web store in of! To everyone who sent in their letters following the closure, the Trotting.!

Shooting In Santa Ana Yesterday, How Far Is Mobile Alabama From Mississippi, Articles P