description and a spaghetti-like tangle of interstate overpasses looms over the shell of the old track. Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely. About 45 minutes before I left, I heard the loud echoing of someone else exploring the place. Revenue failed to compensate for the difference. Chronicle Books. Ground Floor - Bar, Snack Stand, Betting Windows, Food Prep areas Time Magazine. Part of the feature involved a large explosion occurring at the track. After all, race tracks were Plans for the track property are not known. Still hard to believe that it's really gone. 28 Gullickson, Glenn. 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. Over the years, the city has grown up around the Trotting Park, which sat idle and abandoned for more than 40 years. High 56F. It has become an issue. 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. How many ghost towns still exist in Arizona? John J. Dunnigan was instrumental in passing the "Pari-mutuel Revenue Law" of 1940,[1] which effectively allowed people to bet on horse races in New York State. The large, futuristically designed structure gave an optimistic look for the 1960s. According to the 1983 book "A Guide to the Architecture of Metro Phoenix" by the Arizona Institute of Architects, Phoenix Trotting Park was designed by Impressa Eugenio Grassetto of Padua, Italy. The grandstand lies. 14 Arizona Harness Racing, Inc. (7 Jun 1961). OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Indeed! Must have made it more expensive to build, find employees and run the endeavour. 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. I haven't been to Corn Springs, but I may have to check it out next time I'm in the area. What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? I don't want to get busted, but I've wanted to go inside this place for nearly two years now!!! Warner Bros. I was extremely amused by this piece of graffiti. It used to be a beautiful piece of architecture. 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. A friend of hers was injured during a visit. The current Interstate 10 passes north of the site. 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. February 12, 2022 - Thank you to everyone who sent in their letters following the "Only In Your State" article. 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.[5]. 18 Kiko, Sally. (Feb 1967). Future plans include availability for private parties and, yes, maybe even weddings. Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. August 10, 2016 - Sale pending! MAY 18, 2018 - COLLEGE TIMES - All Abandoned: 8 Forbidden & Forgotten Spots around Arizona The Phoenix Gazette, G3. The completed grandstand facility had the following levels: Basement - Loading dock, Receiving Area, Storage Rooms, Switch Room, and a Freight Elevator December 7, 2016 - Wow! ", "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. 35 Padgett, Mike. (2007). 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. One of the proprietors and visionaries behind the park was James Dunnigan, the renowned New York horse racing financier. It always pays off to be silent and aware of your surroundings when exploring alone.Great pictures. The Sun and the Erie County Independent. I also saw locals walking by but they did not say anything. 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. 8 Buffalo Raceway History. The gran. 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. Love Arizona? [21] The parking lot was used as an automotive swap meet called "AutoSwap USA" in 1991. 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 Tell us about them in the comments! I probably sounded like a raving lunatic, but I was too excited to care. Phase I opened in 2002 with 285 spaces, while Phase II added an additional 300 spaces. West Valley View. Phoenix itself was built on the ruins of a Native American civilization and thus earned its name after the mythical bird of rebirth. [15] Total construction time from the groundbreaking ceremony to the first race was less than 12 months. 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 . 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 You've probably driven past this town on your way to Las Vegas. As a result of the growing popularity of car racing when it first became a sport, other similar races which involved horses and cycles (aka the predecessors to modern bicycles with the enormous wheels) went out of style. As the region lacked major roads from Phoenix to Goodyear, there was not enough business and the track closed two years later. Are there any other abandoned places in Arizona that stick out like a sore thumb? Ivy Walls and Horse Stalls. White Tank Mountains Petroglyphs RobertPakko (Atlas Obscura User) Through the winding Waterfall Canyon Trail, a few drawings stand out along the rocks. June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. This is the Phoenix Trotting Park - a huge complex in the United States that was built as a horse racing track in 1964. [13] The track was located far outside city limits, where roads were mostly unimproved dirt. Impressa Eugenio Grassetto, Ivone Grassetto. Elevation: 1250 ft. It was such a thrill and an amazing high. Thank you for following my adventures! I just noticed it being demolished, so it was like, lets go look at the building. Phoenix Trotting Park was a far less successful venture. There is nothing imminent other than the fact that its being taken down.. I went a couple months ago and could have explored it for HOURS. However you want to describe the Phoenix Trotting Park it can be yours for $16.5 million. 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. He lost both the Phoenix Trotting Park and Buffalo Raceway, which he sold to the Sportservice Corporation in 1966. I followed a stairway up to the roof and explored the sky box, where VIPs and announcers viewed the races. More videos on TUC Extras Channel: http://youtube.com/theunknowncamextrashttps://www.facebook.com/TheUnknownCameraman/http://www.twitter.com/TheUnknownCam 10 Arizona Rites Held for James Dunnigan. He was preceded in death by his two other brothers, Richard and Jack; and his parents. This page was last edited on 5 October 2022, at 03:19. These hollow, V-shaped girders measured 8 by 8 by 105 feet, and were considered "lightweight" at 120 tons. (27 Sep 2010). Demolition Zone Ahead. I was so damn excited to finally see one, although nowhere near the signs or the big bogs that flank 95. Check it out here: Valley 101 Explores the History of the Phoenix Trotting Park. [24] Roles Inn of America owned the land upon which the Trotting Park sat for many years. [7][8], A close up view of a corner detail of a balcony. What are some other creepy abandoned places in Arizona? Follow us @PHXTrottingPark. Before the structure could be knocked down, crews were on site of the. The Phoenix Trotting Park harness racing track in Goodyear was torn down last week, and now sits as a pile of concrete and rebar at the interchange of I-10 and Loop 303. FOX 10 Phoenix. As such, without any care, maintenance, or upkeep, the property showed its age. Stars of the sport like Billy Haughton and Joe O'Brien and the reigning national dash champion Bob Farrington came to the desert for the opening night action, but the honor of driving first winner went to Gerry Kazmaier. [30] The sale of the property was completed in March 2021 to a New York based developer called Keystone Equities LLC. Description. Uh oh.. After 52 years of existence, the Trotting Park was sadly demolished in September 2017. Racing continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s while many renovations and improvements kept the track up to modern standards. Phoenix Trotting Park Abandoned. [8] While the track seemed promising at first, a variety of factors caused it to close after only two and a half seasons,[9] leaving Dunnigan nearly bankrupt. . Following the closure, the name was changed to Arizona Equestrian Center. Southwestern playing cards, cactus jellies and desert-focused gardening books are a sample of what we sell. These drawings were left by nomadic . I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. While people were no longer permitted to enter the dilapidated building before its destruction, some photographers still managed . It's an obscure reference to a cartoon short by Don Hertzfeldt I'd seen years ago. 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. 16 Phoenix Trotting Park. 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. Until it was demolished in 2017 (huge bummer, we know), the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear was in the latter category. About to adventure this one myself. 34 Smith, DeWayne. In 1995, Grand Canyon University sold the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $2 million. Phoenix Trotting Park is permanently closed In 2017 the Trotting Park has been demolished. Thats the biggest thing everybody says, youre almost home. [22], Around August 1993, Delaware North company gifted the Trotting Park to local Baptist college Grand Canyon University. 2. And only pictures, videos and memories of the ones that had adventures exploring the place will remain now, it has been demolished probably another cookie cutter suburban development will fill the space and someone not familiar with the area will never know it was there. (14 Dec 1966). It was visible from the I-10 and became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the property. Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Thanks so much! I'm so happy to have found your site. (21 Aug 1996). 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. The first season was scheduled to have 60 nights of racing. 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. West Valley View. Check out Long-vacant Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear is in escrow, could be demolished by Adrian Hedden. 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. Check it out on the videos page. - End of second season 1967 Season 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. You and your brother are going to have an awesome time exploring Phoenix Trotting Park. Two late Hall of Famers, Norman Woolworth and Delvin Miller, were among those who helped bankroll the new venture. When I was sure I'd explored every corner of the place, I headed back out into the Arizona sun. Thats his secondary preference, though. Buffalo Raceway Website. The quality is comparable to that of a larger DSLR, but it's nice and compact, so I don't have to worry about carrying around cumbersome equipment while I'm exploring. Therefore, the published date is the earliest known capture that could be located using the Wayback Machine. Such a neat place. Very informative and I can't wait to go see some of these places as well. March 18, 2017 - It appears that the sale of the Trotting Park fell through and was not finalized. The pre-cast pieces have a compressive strength of 6000-psi, approximately three times the normal strength of concrete used in more conventional buildings. The New York Times. And did you know there are actual Arizona ghost towns within Maricopa county? With pepper spray in hand, I descended a dark stairway into the abyss. In 1960, Phoenix was not the thriving metropolis it is today. 4 Harness Racing Hall of Fame: James J. Dunnigan, Sr.. (2016). The industrial buildings are expected to begin going up in late summer or early fall. Also added a few new letters from readers. A West Valley landmark has been reduced to rubble. 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. Sports Illustrated Magazine. The Notre Dame Scholastic, Vol. The main building of the park was used in the 1998 Charlie/Martin Sheen movie No Code of Conduct. I've traveled through several of these places since I was a child and I've wondered about them myself! The Trotting Park's wall panels, roof slabs, columns, beams, and girders were all constructed of precast concrete, which was poured on-site. The facility, which opened on Jan. 11, 1965 . West Valley View. The plan was to build a grandstand with a capacity of 5,400 spectators. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. Goodyear Ballpark, the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians, is just a few miles away. It opened in 1965 and was run for about two and a half seasons. There are many reasons for its failure. Ivone was a While it is possible that more than one person worked on the design, this has not yet been verified. Arizona Corporation Commission. The city just needs to work on some piping and fix a few exterior lights first. November 1, 2016 - I have added a new page of fan mail and letters from readers about the Trotting Park. As you can probably imagine, there were no takers - after all, that's quite a steep price for what was essentially the bare bones of a building that, by that time, had been ravaged by vandals. Advertisements Many readers have reached out to me with submissions of photos of the Trotting Park. MAY 20, 2017 - ARIZONA REPUBLIC - Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition It's sad to hear they're demolishing it, but I guess it was only a matter of time. It was visible from the I-10 and became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the property. The movie has a 44% rating on the website RottenTomatoes.com. Thank you, Tausha! There aren't a ton of 194 acre land parcels available; but there also aren't a lot of people who need a parcel of land that large. The track sat idle after racing closed, but some horses trained there decades later. Phoenix Trotting Park has been vacant for 51 years. Winds light and variable. (27 Dec 1964). 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. (2011). Today the area surrounding the Phoenix Trotting Park is dotted with houses, apartments, retail outlets of every Unknown magazine scan, 69-71. From left, Daniela Ochoa, Eleazar Ayala and Mayeny Mendivil from Phoenix, Ariz., attend the Feria del Caballo Espaol on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at the Industry Hills Expo Center in the City of . [2] He died in December 1965 at the age of 82.[3]. View the listing here: Phoenix Trotting Park by Colliers International (link no longer valid). This legitimized the sport, which was once dominated by bookmakers ("bookies") at the turn of the century. Phoenix Trotting Park was built on a grand scale, employing a European Architect who built a state of the art facility in 1966. 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. Phoenix Trotting Park, An Architectural Paragon, Has Set Out To Win The West! The colossal ruins of Phoenix Trotting Park sit in the middle of a barren expanse of land just off I-10. In June of 1942, James helped found the Buffalo Raceway in Hamburg, New York[8]. T, Hello again! The purpose of this website is to preserve the Trotting Park's history, to tell the story of the owner's failed dream, and to educate the curious about this unusual racetrack and its troubled past. Its just different.. its my all time favorite place that I have explored. Such a waste of a unique structure. Or do you use other cameras? [6], In December 2015, the property was put on the market for $16.5 million. Select from premium Phoenix Trotting Park of the highest quality. Im sure a lot of people will be interested in seeing it up close, from the air, Machuca said. 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. (10 Oct 2011). 1965 Season Jan 12, 1965 - Opening Night Spring 1965 (?) Thanks :). Pigeons Echoing. [23] They built the Cotton Lane RV Resort on the backstretch of the track. Motorcycle Show Phoenix/Goodyear Trotter Park 1988- PART 1. The Phoenix Trotting Park was constructed in the 1960's by the Dunnigan family. The trotter track was certainly an iconic landmark for many years, but we are grateful for the investment by Citrus Commerce Centre LLC, and are eager to see how that land will be developed in the near future, Lord said. The second night the crowd fell to 4,000, which wasn't unexpected, but then the crowds simply kept shrinking. His son of the same name recently passed away on August 22, 2016 in Phoenix. 31 Marinescu, Adriana. The Short Life and Long Death of Phoenix Trotting Park. Phoenix Trotting Park was built in 1965 in the middle of the desert; shortly thereafter it went bankrupt and was shut down and has laid abandoned of Interstate 10 in Glendale, Arizona ever since. Welcome to Ghost Towns of Arizona and Surrounding States A ghost town is a completely abandoned or semi-abandoned town or city. The University of Notre Dame. (3 Jun 1934). I have added the latest batch of letters to the Letters page. Because of the high summer temperatures, special precautions were taken in the preparation and curing of the concrete. Their plans call for a mixed-use development of the site including industrial, commercial/retail, and entertainment in three phases. The Phoenix Trotting Park opened in 1965 for horse racing, but it was only open for two seasons before it was closed and abandoned. 32 Tapia, Monica. 5 Commencement Exercises (PDF). Read the latest details in this excellent article from the West Valley View: "Demolition Zone Ahead" from the West Valley View. June 22, 2015 - We are now on Twitter! 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. Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. It was built of reinforced concrete, and could . MAY 22, 2017 - FOX10 PHOENIX - Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December The place was absolutely gigantic. And at his side, on the big brilliant bay horse, the smallish, black-bearded Welshman. 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 . Looking for something lost in a past life. 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. Sitemap | Privacy Policy |   Contact Us, Valley 101 Explores the History of the Phoenix Trotting Park, Phoenix Mixed-Use Project Takes a Giant Step, Demolition Under Way on Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park, Demolition of massive Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear begins. The picture quality is amazing and looking for a new camera. I would love to see it repurposed instead of demolished. The town became a city in 1985. After an awkward encounter with a police officer in the morning (details at the end of. (PDF). If you have additional information that may be useful, please Contact Me. 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. Soar over the Trotting Park with amazing aerial drone videos sent in by readers, plus other clips. Final demolition of it began today (9-27-17), and here's a link to a news item about that:. 33 Scanlon, Tom. Mezzanine Floor - Men's and Women's Bathrooms, Stairwell Access Read his Obituary and this article about his life (link no longer valid) from HarnessRacing.com. 9 Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely. Behind came Phoenix, like a shadow, with his yellowish, high-boned face still looking sick. I am also a huge fan of this site. It appeared to be the control room for the elevator system. Buffalo Alumni Club News (PDF). The structure posed a number of hazards including asbestos, dust, pigeon droppings, as well as damaged interior walls. "too damn far out" at least 20 miles from the center of Phoenix and that, at the time, there weren't any major roads connecting Phoenix and the track. Temp: 33. The firm and its eponymous founder are famous for inventing the modern shopping mall as we know it today. I sent pictures to people back home and told them about where I'd just been. Discovery Inc. is suing Paramount Global, saying its competitor aired new episodes of the popular animated comedy series "South Park" after Warner paid for exclusive rights. 2. I'm glad you're enjoying my posts. He enjoyed politics and remained a member of the Senate and the Democratic party until his retirement in 1944. MAY 21, 2017 - KTAR NEWS - Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished Phoenix Trotting Park was a dream of three horsemen from the U.S. East Coast --. I agree; you can't be too careful. Last, my baby brother is in town & we are planning to go TRY to explore this place this upcoming weekend. 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. Thank you. However, the cantilever at the roof level reaches a remarkable 44 feet with the attachment of the front fascia units. Growth in the "Valley of the Sun" is rebounding from the economic downturn which started in 2008. As I walked back to my car, I felt so accomplished, I was shaking with excitement. I know many people are sad to hear that this unique and architecturally-significant building may soon meet its end, but it is on private property and visitors are NOT allowed. The buyers and the sale price have not yet been disclosed. Aggregates used in the concrete mix were cooled before mixing by introducing ice into the mixing process to disspiate heat. Just received an email with a 2nd great drone video of the park from Fly UAS AZ! Sitting in the middle of Arizona, Cordes was founded in 1883 by John Henry Cordes. The Arizona Republic, pp 13. there, there is a bridge type thing that leads right to it. The structure was demolished in 2017. No occupancy. Thanks for the tip! Originally budgeted at $3 million, it ended up costing about $10 million. Photo by: Don Daniels of mi-harness.net, View Rare Photos of the Trotting Park During Construction. SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? Theres no shortage of abandoned places in Arizona. MAY 17, 2017 - AZFAMILY - The old Phoenix Trotting Park set for demolition (video) (29 Dec 2020). Opened in 1965, it closed less than 2 years later. [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. Attendees filled the beautiful grandstand to watch trotting-style racing, but not for very long. The big bogs that flank 95 a number of hazards including asbestos dust! Go look at the building piping and fix a few exterior lights first //www.twitter.com/TheUnknownCam 10 Arizona Rites for! 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