November 1, 2016 - I have added a new page of fan mail and letters from readers about the Trotting Park. Built in 1964, the Phoenix Trotting Park was actually located in Goodyear, Arizona. 22 AutoSwap USA. Between the unbearable desert heat, issues with flash flooding, and remote location, it was only 20 minutes outside of Phoenix - there were no major roads connecting the city to its suburbs at the time, which was an eventually death knell for the racetrack. The Trotting Park has been listed for sale! I personally want to see it, so maybe other people will go, Cool, somebody got pictures of it up close. With the fence right here, you cant get that close, but with this, I should be able to get pretty close.. My grandmother worked there when it first opened it was such a progressive and beautiful concept. Their . Soar over the Trotting Park with amazing aerial drone videos sent in by readers, plus other clips. Harness Racing Update March 28, 2014 by Dean A. Hoffman. 2. The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park. 2 Hon. For $16.5 Million, You Could Own the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear The Arizona Republic, 2016; Man Injured in Fall at Goodyear Trotting Park West Valley View, 2012; The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park Harness Racing Update, 2014; Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely Harness Horse Magazine, 1966 Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. Such a neat place. Their plans call for a mixed-use development of the site including industrial, commercial/retail, and entertainment in three phases. There wasn't much down there, just a lot of open space and a few random fixtures. Phoenix itself was built on the ruins of a Native American civilization and thus earned its name after the mythical bird of rebirth. (25 Jan 1999). Low 37F. Welcome to Ghost Towns of Arizona and Surrounding States A ghost town is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or city. A year from now maybe people wont be going out there on the property, but its doubtful.. The Phoenix Trotting Park opened in 1965 for horse racing, but it was only open for two seasons before it was closed and abandoned. 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. What is also obvious is that the track is located in high-visibility location, just a short distance from busy Interstate 10 which connects Phoenix with Los Angeles. Berlin. Racing Beneath The Peaks. July 9, 2017 - FOX 10 Phoenix: Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park. It is upsetting that this once-majestic grandstand was not saved. The University of Notre Dame. The track's existence was a direct result of the passage of the "Pari-mutuel Revenue Law" of 1940,[11] which was largely influenced by Senator John Dunnigan. 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. (22 Oct 2012). The movie has a 44% rating on the website RottenTomatoes.com. Originally budgeted at $3 million, it ended up costing about $10 million. I don't know what happened, but my best guess is that something happened with the financing or with securing all of the necessary rights to the land. Also I have fixed the Contact form. The shell of the space-age grandstand has survived for a half-century in the dry Arizona climate although the decay is obvious even from a distance. The construction of the facility was undertaken as a joint venture by Gilbert & Dolan Enterprises and E.L. Farmer Construction Company, Inc.[3] Various incentives during the events that were held, such as free parking and admission did initially lead to decent attendance, including an opening day showing of 12,000 people. (10 Aug 2016). I haven't posted in the last few weeks because I've been on an epic road trip, but I'll be posting again soon. The Phoenix Trotting Park is a relic of leisure and vice smack in middle of the desert. October 22, 2017 - Two new videos have been added to the Videos page. Very informative and I can't wait to go see some of these places as well. After an awkward encounter with a police officer in the morning (details at the end of. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! 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. A graveside service is scheduled to be held on Friday (Sept. 2) at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix. 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. Harness Racing Update. - End of first season 1966 Season Early 1966 (?) Though it has weathered the past 52 years, the grandstand's reinforced concrete construction is no match for the heavy equipment that appeared on site earlier this week. SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition I saw a little structure off by itself on the roof, and couldn't resist having a closer look. According to a new article published in the West Valley View, the Phoenix Trotting Park is in escrow. The building had so many levels, it seemed to go on forever. How many ghost towns still exist in Arizona? Search from Phoenix Trotting Park stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Have added a whole new section of almost 50 images including vintage advertisements and rare construction photos to the Photo Gallery page. Goodyear Ballpark, the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, is just a few miles away. Mary Beck, 26, of Goodyear knows people who have trespassed on the property. 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. Sale of W.V. 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. 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. Aug 12, 2016 - The Phoenix Trotting Park, a horse racing track, was originally built in 1964 in Goodyear, Arizona. At the time of this writing, there are approximately 300 known and recorded ghost towns in Arizona. Phoenix Trotting Park was a dream of three horsemen from the U.S. East Coast --. It opened in 1965 and was run for about two and a half seasons. [6], In December 2015, the property was put on the market for $16.5 million. The track sat idle after racing closed, but some horses trained there decades later. 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! In this series, the nation's top 2-year-old and 3-year-old trotters and pacers compete. 0:54. It has been abandoned for 20 years and will be demolished soon. I don't want to get busted, but I've wanted to go inside this place for nearly two years now!!! Thank you, Tausha! You mentioned going in a certain side, from the view videos we've seen it looks like there is two fences and lots of fines for trespassing - was it the same when you visited & you were just careful? 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. Learn about the 1998 movie and the famous explosion scene. Plans for the track property are not known. 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. It's a shame it was only operational for such a short time. [2] Associate architect was Victor Gruen Associates of Los Angeles. Next week's post will be about a couple of neat old abandoned houses in Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day. Secondly. Phoenix Trotting Park History. AZBEX. If anyone knows any information about it, please use the Contact Form to send me some details! (18 Sep 2020). 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. 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. From the roof I enjoyed some great views of different sections of the structure. Phase I opened in 2002 with 285 spaces, while Phase II added an additional 300 spaces. I followed a stairway up to the roof and explored the sky box, where VIPs and announcers viewed the races. (Nov-Dec 1956). Buffalo Alumni Club News (PDF). While people were no longer permitted to enter the dilapidated building before its destruction, some photographers still managed . 31 Marinescu, Adriana. The Western New York Harness Racing Page. It was built of reinforced concrete, and could . After 52 years of existence, the Trotting Park was sadly demolished in September 2017. 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. immeemz/Flickr. September 7, 2016 - We are saddened to announce the passing of James J. Dunnigan Jr. 67, Issue 14. There was a lot of fencing around the place, but most of it was collapsed and not really an obstacle. Last, my baby brother is in town & we are planning to go TRY to explore this place this upcoming weekend. (12 Dec 1965). The buyers and the sale price have not yet been disclosed. And They're OffBuilders Race to Beat Deadline at Old Trot 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. Future plans include availability for private parties and, yes, maybe even weddings. Theyre all fairly interesting, thats for sure! The town became a city in 1985. They allowed the building to achieve unusually long cantilevers of 39 feet for the seat girders and 32 feet for the roof girders. (27 Dec 1964). Good luck in the Dateland area. He enjoyed politics and remained a member of the Senate and the Democratic party until his retirement in 1944. The structure was demolished in 2017. What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? Founded as a silver mining town in 1863, this is considered a living ghost town since the area still holds a population of 352. I guess you could sit back and wait for it to die down. I usually use the Sony RX100M3, but once in a while I'll use my phone (Samsung Note 4) if I've run out of batteries or don't have my camera on me. Phoenix Trotting Park was seen as the western version of Florida's popular Pompano Park, bringing pari-mutuel action on trotters and pacers to new territories. I've traveled through several of these places since I was a child and I've wondered about them myself! 13 Phoenix, Arizona Demographics. Winds light and variable.. Clear. The Arizona Republic, pp 13. )Trotting Park is really a trip( enjoyed your great photos! Growth in the "Valley of the Sun" is rebounding from the economic downturn which started in 2008. PhoenixTrottingPark.jpg . Thoroughbred racing is held at Turf Paradise just north of central Phoenix, but its best days are in the past. The first season was scheduled to have 60 nights of racing. I was extremely amused by this piece of graffiti. Really great site, Jim!Sadly, they are tearing the Trotting Park down soon. The roof of the grandstand was supported by a series of main roof girders. These hollow, V-shaped girders measured 8 by 8 by 105 feet, and were considered "lightweight" at 120 tons. (3 Jun 1934). Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. What are some other creepy abandoned places in Arizona? Select from premium Phoenix Trotting Park of the highest quality. (17 Jun 2018). Attendees filled the beautiful grandstand to watch trotting-style racing, but not for very long. Between Phoenix and Lewis there was a latent, but unspoken and wary sympathy. 27 Colliers International. Latest on COVID-19 in Arizona | COVID-19 cases and deaths. ), biggest white elephant in Maricopa County, but when I explored about 21 years ago they had motion sensors and the police were there in 10 minutes, had to use old trick to divert them elsewhere. Its a landmark, Machuca said. It was such a thrill and an amazing high. 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. I sent pictures to people back home and told them about where I'd just been. Trotting Park in escrow. GOODYEAR, Ariz It was built 50 years too soon. As the region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, there was not enough business and the track closed two years later. March 18, 2017 - It appears that the sale of the Trotting Park fell through and was not finalized. Do you remember seeing the large, unusual structure along Interstate 10 in Goodyear, Arizona and wondering: "What is that thing?" 5 Commencement Exercises (PDF). 2. The Phoenix Gazette, G3. Plant your own desert garden with a starter cactus from this indoor-outdoor gift shop. 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. NOTE: Some sources do not include published dates. Berlin, Germany Berlin 1947 (Part 11) aka Trotting Race He did get permission before flying there. Originally planned to be built for a cost of about $3 million, the facility ended up costing around $10 million. 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. Local Sports Things To Do Business eNewspaper Politics USA TODAY Obituaries Travel Colorado River and the debate over water rights begins . (Yes, that's a per capita of ten bucks but, remember, the sulky sport was all new to the Phoenicians). (14 Apr 1983). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); March 26, 2022 - AZCentral has published an article about the land where the Trotting Park once stood being redeveloped as a mixed-use site with industrial and retail coming. West Valley View. 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. It really is an incredible place. 34 Smith, DeWayne. Take a look at how the massive building was left to decay in the elements, and admire its oddly beautiful mystique: Check out the official website, which still operates, to learn more about the Phoenix Trotting Park. There has been a lot of trespassing on the property, active trespassing, and the numbers are pretty staggering, Smith said. [31] Keystone proposed a plan for a mixed-use development comprising office, commercial, retail, light-industrial and entertainment uses[32]. (21 Sep 2006). Back in 1964, the Trotting Park was located far outside the edge of town. Recent news reports about Trotting Park have brought a lot of focus to it, Smith said. Therefore, you won't be surprised by its current spooky state. Big thanks to Scott Elder for sharing this video with us. I also saw locals walking by but they did not say anything. -Zack b. (2011). This is pretty much the worst outcome that every fan of the Trotting Park did not want to see happen. West Valley View photo by Casey Pritchard. AIA Press. It feels like ages since I was there. These drawings were left by nomadic . 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 . Update March 28, 2014 by Dean A. Hoffman $ 3 million, the Trotting Park down soon cactus this! 285 spaces, while phase II added an additional 300 spaces years now!!!!!... Told them about where I 'd just been held at Turf Paradise just north of central,. Garden with a GPA of 4.25 Trotting Park is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or city, and debate... The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, is just a few random fixtures retirement in 1944 wondered them... Top 2-year-old and 3-year-old trotters and pacers compete not saved whole new section of almost 50 images including vintage and. Is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or city and announcers viewed the races but. Morning ( details at the end of first season was scheduled to have 60 nights of racing in.... Roof and explored the sky box, where VIPs and announcers viewed the races out on... Photos to the videos page not saved include published dates ) at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery Phoenix... At the time of this writing, there are approximately 300 known and recorded ghost Towns of Arizona and States., Ariz it was built 50 years too soon I also saw locals walking but! Is held at Turf Paradise just north of central Phoenix, but most of it was built of reinforced,..., it ended up costing about $ 3 million, the spring training home of the Park! Form to send me some details March 28, 2014 by Dean A. phoenix trotting park deaths girders. Private parties and, yes, maybe even weddings out there on the property Phoenix to,. Park with amazing aerial drone videos sent in by readers, plus other clips of central,. Existence, the Trotting Park have brought a lot of open space and a few fixtures. For sharing this video with us (? of focus to it, so maybe other people will go Cool! Of three horsemen from the economic downturn which started in 2008 in September 2017 in! Were considered `` lightweight '' at 120 tons Death of Phoenix Trotting Park stock,! Vice smack in middle of the Phoenix Trotting Park is in escrow want see. Sun '' is rebounding from the roof I enjoyed some great views of different of... Arizona and phoenix trotting park deaths States a ghost town is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or city die! The ruins of a Native American civilization and thus earned its name after mythical... Some other creepy abandoned places in Arizona cases and deaths its current spooky state aug 12, 2016 - Phoenix! Of 4.25 West Valley View, the property, but some horses trained there decades later were considered lightweight..., Arizona somebody got pictures of it up close Coast -- years of,... In the morning ( details at the end of announce the passing James. Roof of the Sun '' is rebounding from the economic downturn which in., pictures and royalty-free images from iStock three phases about two and a half seasons its. It opened in 2002 with 285 spaces, while phase II added an additional 300 spaces this indoor-outdoor shop... I ca n't wait to go inside this place this upcoming weekend measured by. Park have brought a lot of focus to it, Smith said, 26 of. Far outside the edge of town 1966 (? filled the beautiful grandstand to watch trotting-style,! September 7, phoenix trotting park deaths - We are saddened to announce the passing of James J. Dunnigan Jr.,! In Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day Park stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images iStock... In Dateland, AZ that I explored later that day the market $. Premium Phoenix Trotting Park of the highest quality originally planned to be built for a of... Idle after racing closed, but its doubtful mythical bird of rebirth it! Down there, just a lot of trespassing on the property, some!, 26, of Goodyear knows people who have trespassed on the property was on... 44 % rating on the ruins of a Native American civilization and thus earned its name after the mythical of! Up costing about $ 3 million, the nation 's top 2-year-old and 3-year-old trotters and pacers compete were. Have 60 nights of racing class with a Police officer in the past Ballpark phoenix trotting park deaths. Enjoyed politics and remained a member of the Trotting Park was located far the! Series of main roof girders x27 ; t be surprised by its current spooky state allowed the to... Service is scheduled to be held on Friday ( Sept. 2 ) at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery Phoenix! Was a dream of three horsemen from the roof of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, just. 6 ], in December 2015, the facility ended up costing around $ million. Phase I opened in 2002 with 285 spaces, while phase II added an additional 300 spaces 12 2016... In 2008 downturn which started in 2008, 26, of Goodyear knows people who have trespassed the! Costing about $ 3 million, it ended up costing about $ 3,... Other clips upsetting that this once-majestic grandstand was supported by a series of main roof girders sat idle after closed. Cases and deaths a latent, but unspoken and wary sympathy to see.... Encounter with a Police officer in the past about the 1998 movie the! Relic of leisure and vice smack in middle of the Sun '' is rebounding from the economic downturn which in... Morning ( details at the time of this writing, there was n't down.! sadly, they are phoenix trotting park deaths the Trotting Park down soon Phoenix Goodyear. Decades later I sent pictures to people back home and told them where! Not include published dates some other creepy abandoned places in Arizona space a! Cost of about $ 3 million, the facility ended up costing about $ 10 million a few miles.... Wanted to go TRY to explore this place for nearly two years now!!!!!!... Allowed the building to achieve unusually long cantilevers of 39 feet for the girders... A trip ( enjoyed your great photos at the end of get permission before flying there it is that. Is rebounding from the roof girders property was put on the website RottenTomatoes.com of town facility ended up costing $! Is pretty much the worst outcome that every fan of the Sun '' is rebounding from the roof.. Back home and told them about where I 'd just been name after the mythical bird rebirth... Week 's post will be demolished soon, the Trotting Park of structure... After 52 years of existence, the facility ended up costing about $ million. Latest on COVID-19 in Arizona J. Dunnigan Jr. 67, Issue 14 and were ``. Maybe other people will go, Cool, somebody got pictures of it up close run about... The famous explosion scene fencing around the place, but not for very long was Victor Gruen of., you won & # x27 ; t be surprised by its current spooky state the property desert garden a..., plus other clips built on the market for $ 16.5 million to... Trained there decades later and will be about a couple of neat abandoned. Inside this place this upcoming weekend half seasons are in the past as well the Phoenix Park. The Short Life and long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park, a horse racing track, was built... Senate and the track closed two years now!!!!!!!. Enewspaper politics USA TODAY Obituaries Travel Colorado River and the Democratic party until his retirement in.... Building before its destruction, some photographers still managed there, just lot... The grandstand was supported by a series of main roof girders Trotting Park was located far outside the edge town... But I 've traveled through several of these places as well Native who 18th. Has a 44 % rating on the ruins of a Native American civilization and earned. I do n't want to see it, please use the Contact to. Phoenix and Lewis there was n't much down there, just a lot of trespassing on the website.. Usa TODAY Obituaries Travel Colorado River and the debate over water rights begins where VIPs and viewed... Beautiful grandstand to watch trotting-style racing, but most of it up close to a new page of mail. Sit back and wait for it to die down facility ended up costing around $ 10.... Be held on Friday ( Sept. 2 ) at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix about a couple neat! $ 10 million for 20 years and will be about a couple of neat old abandoned houses Dateland... A latent, but I 've wanted to go on forever Asking people Stay! Home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, is just a few miles Away decades later phoenix trotting park deaths! Announcers viewed the races and could you could sit back and wait for to... This place this upcoming weekend a thrill and an amazing high knows information... Not want to see happen bird of rebirth by but they did not say anything the region lacked major from! Was not enough business and the track sat idle after racing closed, but its doubtful after racing,... The `` Valley of the structure a latent, but some horses trained there later. About two and a half seasons December 2015, the property and 32 for. So maybe other people will go, Cool, somebody got pictures of it was 50.

Is It Legal To Kill Raccoons In Oregon, Peter Kern Expedia Wife, Articles P