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. The Phoenix Trotting Park was a horse racing track built-in 1964 in Goodyear, Arizona. It's sad to hear they're demolishing it, but I guess it was only a matter of time. There are many reasons for its failure. It has to be one of the most amazing places to explore in az that I know about! The picture quality is amazing and looking for a new camera. The moose are actually kill bots deployed to keep the Canadians in check. Dunnigan was a well-respected horseracing financier from New York who was in charge of the building of The Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg, New York. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie. Elevation: 1250 ft. You and your brother are going to have an awesome time exploring Phoenix Trotting Park. One of the proprietors and visionaries behind the park was James Dunnigan, the renowned New York horse racing financier. I just noticed it being demolished, so it was like, lets go look at the building. His son of the same name recently passed away on August 22, 2016 in Phoenix. [7][8], A close up view of a corner detail of a balcony. 16 Phoenix Trotting Park. Ground Floor - Bar, Snack Stand, Betting Windows, Food Prep areas In this series, the nation's top 2-year-old and 3-year-old trotters and pacers compete. Follow us @PHXTrottingPark. From the roof I enjoyed some great views of different sections of the structure. Demolition Zone Ahead. 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. Cant wait til later this week when I do a full exploration. 26 Whiting, Brent. SEP 27, 2017 - AZCENTRAL - What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? Thank you. After pouring, the fresh concrete was covered with black polyethylene plastic sheets to conserve moisture as well as to simulate steam curing methods. I've been using the Sony RX100M3. Do you remember seeing the large, unusual structure along Interstate 10 in Goodyear, Arizona and wondering: "What is that thing?" The Phoenix Gazette, G3. He and a group of other investors successfully introduced night harness racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos. Repeated calls to officials at the City of Goodyear were not returned. 35 Padgett, Mike. The 194 acres that encompass the massive, abandoned horse-racing track hit the market in late December . 1965 Season Jan 12, 1965 - Opening Night Spring 1965 (?) The Phoenix Trotting Park wasnt the only spooky abandoned spot in Arizona; other famous (or perhaps infamous) abandoned places in Arizona are places like: 3. Winds light and variable.. Clear. (Yes, that's a per capita of ten bucks but, remember, the sulky sport was all new to the Phoenicians). [15] Construction began in 1964 on the massive structure, which contained more than 27,000 cubic yards of concrete. [2] He died in December 1965 at the age of 82.[3]. (18 Sep 2020). MAY 21, 2017 - KTAR NEWS - Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished 15 Werner, M.R. Second Level - Betting Windows, Offices & Storage Rooms, Multiple Bars, More Restrooms, Escalator (Top) Del Miller, Legendary Driver in the Sulky, Is Dead at 83. I spent 3-4 hours there. The hollow roof girders were also part of the track's innovative heating system, which kept the spectators warm during the winter months. May 20, 2017 - Since there have been so many great video clips of the Trotting Park recently, I put together a new Videos page where you can find them all. The production company was criticized for this and the film did not receive approval from the American Humane Association as a result. [31] Keystone proposed a plan for a mixed-use development comprising office, commercial, retail, light-industrial and entertainment uses[32]. John J. Dunnigan. Soar over the Trotting Park with amazing aerial drone videos sent in by readers, plus other clips. 17 Phoenix Trots Out A $9 Million Track With Spiral Curves. Winds light and variable. T, Hello again! The Phoenix Trotting Park, was a horse racing track built in 1964 in Goodyear, Arizona, United States. 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. 98. I have wondered about this place! The point is, once this building went down, the entire population of birds left that structure to make the houses and other buildings of the west valley their new homes. Low 37F. In the silence I tried to imagine what the place alive and filled with thousands of cheering spectators. )Trotting Park is really a trip( enjoyed your great photos! Local Sports Things To Do Business eNewspaper Politics USA TODAY Obituaries Travel Colorado River and the debate over water rights begins . Demolition on Phoenix Trotting Park, a dilapidated, aging former horse track in Goodyear, began today after a failed attempt to sell the property last year. Phoenix Trots Out A $9 Million Track With Spiral Curves. About to adventure this one myself. Thats his secondary preference, though. (28 Mar 2014). 7, Issue 4. The hulking race track has stood. 19 Hoffman, Dean A. 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. The building had so many levels, it seemed to go on forever. (17 May 2017). Just received an email with a 2nd great drone video of the park from Fly UAS AZ! - Hoof Beats Magazine NEW, Mar 8, 1965 - Racing Beneath the Peaks - Sports Illustrated, Mar 10, 1965 - Clearview Stable Sweeps Weekend - Harness Horse Magazine NEW, Dec 14, 1966 - Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely - Harness Horse Magazine, Sep 24, 1969 - Ong Hing v. Arizona Harness Raceway, Inc. - CourtListener.com, Apr 14, 1983 - Arizona Rites Held for James Dunnigan; Was Founder of Buffalo Raceway - The Sun and the Erie County Independent, Nov 15, 1991 - AutoSwap USA - Arizona Business Gazette, Dec 9, 1997 - Film Crew to Aid Birds - The Arizona Republic, Sep 21, 2006 - Goodyear's Horse Track Becomes 'White Elephant' - West Valley View, Dec 2010 - Phoenix Trotting Park History - Three Rivers Historical Society Newsletter, Oct 10, 2011 - Goodyear Trotting Park Receives Interest - West Valley View, Oct 22, 2012 - Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park - West Valley View, Mar 28, 2014 - The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park - Harness Racing Update, Jun 18, 2014 - Readers' Picks of Biggest West Valley Eyesores - The Arizona Republic, Jan 12, 2016 - Huge Trotting Park in Goodyear Marks 50 Years Standing Empty - The Arizona Republic, Jan 14, 2016 - For $16.5 Million, You Could Own the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear - The Arizona Republic, May 17, 2017 - Demolition Zone Ahead - West Valley View, May 17, 2017 - The Old Phoenix Trotting Park Set for Demolition - AZ Family 3TV / CBS 5, May 18, 2017 - All Abandoned: 8 Forbidden & Forgotten Spots around Arizona - College Times, May 20, 2017 - Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition - Arizona Republic, May 21, 2017 - Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished - KTAR News, May 22, 2017 - Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December - FOX10 Phoenix, Jul 9, 2017 - Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park - FOX10 Phoenix, Sep 26, 2017 - Phoenix horse trotting park set for demolition Wednesday - AZ Family 3TV / CBS 5, Sep 27, 2017 - RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition - AZ Family 3TV / CBS 5, Sep 27, 2017 - Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition - AZ Family 3TV / CBS 5, Sep 27, 2017 - Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear - FOX10 Phoenix, Sep 27, 2017 - What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? 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. How many ghost towns still exist in Arizona? Future plans include availability for private parties and, yes, maybe even weddings. Harness Racing UpdateMarch 28, 2014by Dean A. Hoffman. June 30, 2017 - Huge photo update! SEP 26, 2017 - AZFAMILY - Phoenix horse trotting park set for demolition Wednesday. [18] That first night, more than $130,984 was wagered at the gleaming new facility. 2. (21 Aug 1996). I know about everything in Yuma County if you ever want to contact me. Its kind of sad.. Built in 1964, the Phoenix Trotting Park was actually located in Goodyear, Arizona. 2. Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord issued a statement about the property. Arizona Business Gazette. 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. While people were no longer permitted to enter the dilapidated building before its destruction, some photographers still managed . Mechanical Mezzanine Level - Stairwell Access and Elevator Machine Rooms The New York Times. I followed a stairway up to the roof and explored the sky box, where VIPs and announcers viewed the races. In 1975 he was inducted into the Living Hall of Fame. 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. Therefore, the published date is the earliest known capture that could be located using the Wayback Machine. Commercial Property Executive. (Feb 1967). August 7, 2016 - Huge photo update!! Will be content with your great pictures. It was the Phoenix Trotting Park, an abandoned harness horse racing track from the mid-1960s that ran for just two seasons before going bankrupt. He also served as president pro tempore of the New York State Senate from 1933 through 1938.[1]. Temp: 33. We also explored and got some great pictures around there and out at Corn Springs, etc. 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. With this website, I hope to tell the story of this magnificent yet troubled structure so that its legacy can live on, even though the building itself is now gone. Chronicle Books. MAY 20, 2017 - ARIZONA REPUBLIC - Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition [20], The Trotting Park closed permanently in 1966. 4 Harness Racing Hall of Fame: James J. Dunnigan, Sr.. (2016). Assuredly no one is going to salvage the old track and bring back racing. 12 Buffalo Raceway. I haven't been to Corn Springs, but I may have to check it out next time I'm in the area. May 17, 2017 - Very sad to report that the Trotting Park is in the beginning stages of demolition, starting with asbestos removal. Check them out on the Photo Gallery page. Uh oh.. Originally budgeted at $3 million, it ended up costing about $10 million. [1] Ivone Grassetto, head of Impressa Eugenio Grassetto of Padua, Italy designed the grandstand and the main racing strip. At various times during his long association with the sport, he served as a director of the USTA, Harness Tracks of America and the Harness Racing Institute. Counter conspiracy: Moose on 95 in Clinton will only reveal themselves to you if you are a true Mainer. 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. A 1966 article in Harness Horse Magazine stated that Phoenix Trotting Park had indefinitely suspended racing on December 7, 1966 - after just 2.5 seasons.[9]. A recent update to the Colliers listing shows that of the 194 acre site, the 138.85 acre "Grandstand and surrounding parcels" is in escrow with a buyer. Mr. Dunnigan is survived by one brother, Eddie; and several nieces and nephews. (3 Jun 1934). Phoenix Trotting Park is on the market for $16.5 million. The horses belonged to Ron and Arla Delver, who told the StarPhoenix earlier this month that two horses were found dead on Dec. 14 and two more were found on Dec. 21 on summer pasture land. (www.taushpointo.com) taushawierlo@gmail.com. Next week's post will be about a couple of neat old abandoned houses in Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day. Because of the high summer temperatures, special precautions were taken in the preparation and curing of the concrete. 8 Buffalo Raceway History. Im sure a lot of people will be interested in seeing it up close, from the air, Machuca said. The large, futuristically designed structure gave an optimistic look for the 1960s. Until it was demolished in 2017 (huge bummer, we know), the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear was in the latter category. 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. I'm glad you're enjoying my posts. Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely, Del Miller, Legendary Driver in the Sulky, Is Dead at 83, Phoenix Trots Out A $9 Million Track With Spiral Curves, The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park, Goodyear's Horse Track Becomes 'White Elephant', Motorcycle Show Phoenix/Goodyear Trotter Park 1988- PART 1, Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park, Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step, 224-Acre Mixed-Use Hub Proposed for Goodyear. 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