Welcome to the Desert Botanical Garden Gift Shop, we have the best gifts & souvenirs in Phoenix! The Phoenix Trotting Park is a relic of leisure and vice smack in middle of the desert. 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. Dec 27, 1964 - Phoenix Trots Out A $9 Million Track With Spiral Curves - The New York Times, Jan 10, 1965 - Phoenix Trotting Park to Open Tomorrow - The Arizona Republic, Feb 1965 - Phoenix Trotting Park, An Architectural Paragon, Has Set Out To Win The West! In 1995, Grand Canyon University sold the 224-acre track to local developer Ray Roles for $2 million. Thoroughbred racing is held at Turf Paradise just north of central Phoenix, but its best days are in the past. Phoenix, Dunnigan pointed out, can only expand to the west, where his track is located, and he is counting heavily on the Goodyear . 9 Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely. 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. (21 Sep 2006). Check it out here: Valley 101 Explores the History of the Phoenix Trotting Park. I sent pictures to people back home and told them about where I'd just been. (10 Aug 2016). (27 Dec 1964). 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. August 7, 2016 - Huge photo update!! The track opened with a 60-day meeting on January 11, 1965. Their plans call for a mixed-use development of the site including industrial, commercial/retail, and entertainment in three phases. FOX 10 Phoenix. White Tank Mountains Petroglyphs RobertPakko (Atlas Obscura User) Through the winding Waterfall Canyon Trail, a few drawings stand out along the rocks. Recently started following your adventures, as we stayed at Desert Center for a month this winter. The land sold for $16.5 million to a New York-based developer called Keystone Equities LLC. Latest on COVID-19 in Arizona | COVID-19 cases and deaths. In the silence I tried to imagine what the place alive and filled with thousands of cheering spectators. Fourth Level - Dining Platforms, Main Seating, Cashier Counters, Executive Office, Conference Room June 22, 2015 - We are now on Twitter! His son of the same name recently passed away on August 22, 2016 in Phoenix. The backstretch area now is the Cotton Lane RV and Mobile Home Park. 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. [24] Roles Inn of America owned the land upon which the Trotting Park sat for many years. Soon the thrill was gone and the 50-acre parking lot was mostly empty. )Trotting Park is really a trip( enjoyed your great photos! Russian held trotting race and black market traders . What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear? 1 John J. Dunnigan. Berlin, Germany Berlin 1947 (Part 11) aka Trotting Race Hi Jim, I too have enjoyed your photography work, you have a great eye and the information you provide on the subject matter. [22], Around August 1993, Delaware North company gifted the Trotting Park to local Baptist college Grand Canyon University. Massive Goodyear projects approved. Haven't tried to go inside, though. Because of the high summer temperatures, special precautions were taken in the preparation and curing of the concrete. The unnamed victim suffered a head injury after falling down an empty elevator shaft, and was airlifted to a Phoenix hospital for treatment, according to a West Valley View article. 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. Soar over the Trotting Park with amazing aerial drone videos sent in by readers, plus other clips. 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. If you have additional information that may be useful, please Contact Me. The Arizona Republic, pp 13. 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 inaugural card. The roof of the grandstand was supported by a series of main roof girders. Or do you use other cameras? In October 2012, a 17-year old man was injured when he fell 20 feet while exploring at the abandoned Trotting Park with friends. The Phoenix Trotting Park would last only one more year. Del Miller, Legendary Driver in the Sulky, Is Dead at 83. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Nice story! Its kind of sad.. Thanks for the tip! December 7, 2016 - Wow! Bronx County, NY - Online Biographies. 15 Werner, M.R. The hot weather of the desert caused events to be uncomfortable to attendees. Arizona Corporation Commission. 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. He enjoyed politics and remained a member of the Senate and the Democratic party until his retirement in 1944. 32 Tapia, Monica. Over the years, the city has grown up around the Trotting Park, which sat idle and abandoned for more than 40 years. 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. Very informative and I can't wait to go see some of these places as well. 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. 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. 22 AutoSwap USA. Forgotten. The Trotting Park has been listed for sale! (15 Nov 1991). Revenue failed to compensate for the difference. 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. Recent news reports about Trotting Park have brought a lot of focus to it, Smith said. West Valley View. GOODYEAR, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Dozens of people gathered early this morning to surround the . Jimbo making a great article. I was extremely amused by this piece of graffiti. John J. was married to Margaret (Gilligan) Dunnigan and they had four children together: Margaret, James, Ruth, and Joseph. 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. It was visible from the I-10 and became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the property. 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. The Buffalo Raceway opened in June of 1942 in Hamburg, New York[8]. Haven't made it in yet! June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. What are some other creepy abandoned places in Arizona? In this week's episode of . Jimmy Dunnigan knew racing and racetracks and his expertise attracted investors who wanted to see harness racing gain a foothold in Phoenix. May 22, 2017 Here is a roundup of the recent news stories about the Trotting Park: 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 . The half-mile track was a success right from the start, and flourished under the management of James J. Dunnigan, who served as the president for 25 years. Hard times forced him to sell the Buffalo Raceway to the Sportservice Corporation that same year.[8]. Phoenix Trotting Park Suspends Racing Indefinitely. 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 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. Night Vision: The Art of Urban Exploration by Troy Paiva. MAY 17, 2017 - AZFAMILY - The old Phoenix Trotting Park set for demolition (video) He purchased a huge plot of land from Karl and Norbert Abel[15], who owned vast amounts of land in the area. It was visible from the I-10 and became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the property. "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. 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. After 52 years of existence, the Trotting Park was sadly demolished in September 2017. However, a 1964 New York Times article and a 1965 Sports Illustrated article both credit the building's design to Ivone Grasetto, also of Padua, Italy. Ive seen it going on the I-10 for years, and now its going to be gone, Randy Bowland, 43, of Surprise said. Also added a few new letters from readers. 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. Just received an email with a 2nd great drone video of the park from Fly UAS AZ! description and a spaghetti-like tangle of interstate overpasses looms over the shell of the old track. West Valley View. A graveside service is scheduled to be held on Friday (Sept. 2) at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix. 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. If anyone knows any information about it, please use the Contact Form to send me some details! It's one of the best pocketable cameras on the market. So you only use the Sony RX100M3 camera for all your photos? [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. I'd never seen something so gigantic yet totally abandoned. (22 Oct 2012). Impressa Eugenio Grassetto, Ivone Grassetto. Thanks for any info! 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. [8], Undeterred by his failed business venture, Dunnigan moved west to California and set about rebuilding his career. 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 . 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. 24 A Glass Enclosed Palace for the "Sport of Kings. In the early 1960s, James J. Dunnigan invested heavily in a new harness racing track called Phoenix Trotting Park, located in Arizona. 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. After pouring, the fresh concrete was covered with black polyethylene plastic sheets to conserve moisture as well as to simulate steam curing methods. I never got the guts to go past the gate, though.. Harness Racing Update March 28, 2014 by Dean A. Hoffman. The park was demolished in 2017. [23] They built the Cotton Lane RV Resort on the backstretch of the track. Motorcycle Show Phoenix/Goodyear Trotter Park 1988- PART 1. I just noticed it being demolished, so it was like, lets go look at the building. - 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? 34 Smith, DeWayne. Chris Randall/Flickr. (8 Mar 1965). 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. And did you know there are actual Arizona ghost towns within Maricopa county? 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. The location provided limited means to control rain, leading to floods that caused accessibility problems. And glad to hear you got a chance to see Phoenix Trotting Park. 14 Arizona Harness Racing, Inc. (7 Jun 1961). [15] Construction began in 1964 on the massive structure, which contained more than 27,000 cubic yards of concrete. [13] The track was located far outside city limits, where roads were mostly unimproved dirt. Phoenix Trotting Park was a far less successful venture. The Trotting Park's wall panels, roof slabs, columns, beams, and girders were all constructed of precast concrete, which was poured on-site. 18 Kiko, Sally. Goodyear residents and leaders hoped for an entertainment destination where the iconic Phoenix Trotting Park once stood, but are more likely to see light industrial at the site off Interstate 10 in the West Valley. Only the 55.47 acre "pit parcel" remains for sale at this time. 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. The track, which was built in 1964 and used for a little more than two years, has sat vacant since, but is seen as an iconic building by many Phoenicians, especially residents of the West Valley. 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. I haven't been to Corn Springs, but I may have to check it out next time I'm in the area. 26 Whiting, Brent. Description. "The trotting park might have been a mirage from another age or another world.". Racing Beneath The Peaks. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 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. Founded as a silver mining town in 1863, this is considered a living ghost town since the area still holds a population of 352. Do you remember seeing the large, unusual structure along Interstate 10 in Goodyear, Arizona and wondering: "What is that thing?" Are there any other abandoned places in Arizona that stick out like a sore thumb? [20], The Trotting Park closed permanently in 1966. In this series, the nation's top 2-year-old and 3-year-old trotters and pacers compete. (18 Sep 2020). Built in 1964, the Phoenix Trotting Park was actually located in Goodyear, Arizona. PhoenixTrottingPark.jpg . I've been using the Sony RX100M3. 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. I know about everything in Yuma County if you ever want to contact me. It was also featured on the cover of Harness Horse magazine and Hoof Beats magazine. 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. West Valley View. I've been a couple times to just look at the outside. Thanks, Mike! 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]. Read the article here: Huge Trotting Park in Goodyear Marks 50 Years Standing Empty. This was one of the top 10 tracks in America, with multiple speed records set and broken there. This 73-Mile Arizona Scenic Drive Winds Through An Abandoned Village And Ancient Volcano, The Boneyard In Arizona Is The Resting Place For More Than 4,000 Abandoned Airplanes, This Eerie And Fantastic Footage Takes You Inside Arizonas Abandoned Train Graveyard, Take A Memorable Hike To The Abandoned Verde Hot Springs Resort In Arizona, It Doesnt Get Much Creepier Than This Abandoned Town Hidden in Arizona, This Abandoned Ghost Town In Arizona Was Once A Quintessential Wild West Town, 7 Eerie, Abandoned Places In Arizona That May Make Your Hair Stand On End, Most People Have No Idea This Abandoned Mining Town In Arizona Even Exists. Slowly but surely, it succumbed to the elements, blending in with the desert surroundings a little bit more each day. Ivy Walls and Horse Stalls. There is nothing imminent other than the fact that its being taken down.. The grandstand building is no longer there. I was so damn excited to finally see one, although nowhere near the signs or the big bogs that flank 95. Good luck in the Dateland area. It opened in 1965 and was run for about two and a half seasons. Repeated calls to officials at the City of Goodyear were not returned. It was built in 1964 for $9.5 million, more than $6 million over budget, to house spectators during harness races. Please keep posting! Please be respectful of the No Trespassing signs posted around the building. However, there are also numerous wonderful AZ ghost towns that you can still visit and even tour, including: Thank you! Find Phoenix Trotting Park stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. August 23, 2016 - Phoenix Trotting Park is in the news again, this time in The Arizona Republic. This article originally appeared in the March 28, 2014 issue of Harness Racing Update Newsletter (PDF). 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. Mr. Dunnigan is survived by one brother, Eddie; and several nieces and nephews. Indeed! Thanks so much! [17] The track was originally supposed to cost about $2 million, but the final cost ended up being a whopping $9.5 million. Published September 27, 2017. Arizona Business Gazette. It will take approximately three months to move the estimated 20,000 tons of rubble away from the site. He and a group of other investors successfully introduced night harness racing at a leased track in Los Alamitos. The pre-cast pieces have a compressive strength of 6000-psi, approximately three times the normal strength of concrete used in more conventional buildings. It opened in 1965 and was run for about two and a half seasons. 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. He was flying a drone into the demolition area after workers had left for the day. The 5/8-mile track was the first in North America to have spiral turns to help horses get through the curves better, but the fastest mile of the evening was 2:10.4 by Santa Raider. November 1, 2016 - I have added a new page of fan mail and letters from readers about the Trotting Park. Phoenix Trots Out A $9 Million Track With Spiral Curves. 31 Marinescu, Adriana. Senator John J. Dunnigan on Feb. 22, 1934, Trotters at the Buffalo Raceway on May 25, 1974, Re-creation of the Phoenix Trotting Park logo, Phoenix Trotting Park under construction in 1964. 17 Phoenix Trots Out A $9 Million Track With Spiral Curves. The facility, which opened on Jan. 11, 1965 . 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. Recent news reports about Trotting Park have brought a lot of focus to it, Smith said. It feels like ages since I was there. Will be content with your great pictures. 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. Theres no shortage of abandoned places in Arizona. A West Valley landmark has been reduced to rubble. Phoenix Trotting Park 17758 W Roosevelt St, Goodyear, AZ 85338 This horse track lasted for only two seasons before permanent abandonment. 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]. 8 Buffalo Raceway History. The moose are actually kill bots deployed to keep the Canadians in check. This is the Phoenix Trotting Park - a huge complex in the United States that was built as a horse racing track in 1964. Thank you, Alexis! 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. It has been abandoned for 20 years and will be demolished soon. There are many reasons for its failure. They were quick to point out that the track was built It's so massive that it was impossible to know where the other person was. 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. Many thanks to everyone for their patience. There were also thousands of bats as well. Built in 1964, the Phoenix Trotting Park was actually located in Goodyear, Arizona. Weird Arizona by Wesley Treat, Mark Moran, Mark Sceurman. 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.. Thanks :). I'm glad you enjoyed the pics. 11 Sport: $100,000,000 Turnover?. 29 Gullickson, Glenn. Third Level - Employee Locker Rooms, Employee Cafeteria, Main Kitchen, Store Rooms, Restaurant Space Final demolition of it began today (9-27-17), and here's a link to a news item about that:. YouTube. The Phoenix Trotting Park was expertly designed and opened in 1965. When I was sure I'd explored every corner of the place, I headed back out into the Arizona sun. [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. [6], In December 2015, the property was put on the market for $16.5 million. Hopes and optimism ran high in 1965 when the Phoenix Trotting Park, a futuristically-designed harness racing track that opened in Goodyear, Arizona. GOODYEAR, Ariz It was built 50 years too soon. Farmer Construction Co., Inc. SEP 26, 2017 - AZFAMILY - Phoenix horse trotting park set for demolition Wednesday. 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]. September 7, 2016 - We are saddened to announce the passing of James J. Dunnigan Jr. You cannot visit it as there is nothing left to see of this troubled mid-century horse racing facility. It's unlikely, however, that the trotting park in the desert will ever gain new life. The Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park was demolished on October 14, 2017 after more than 50 years! The 194-acre property was vacant for 51 years before demolition. [4] However, a variety of factors led to the inevitable closing of the track. Thanks to Annie for sending in photos from 'The Harness Horse' magazine and to Mike at PaperJet for their contributions. hello jessalyn, I went just a couple months ago and actually parked on a dirt road right by the trailer community directly behind trotting park. 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Hoffman is Dead at 83 of graffiti check out this Arizona village! Several nieces and nephews the estimated 20,000 tons of rubble away from the I-10 and became a popular for! City limits, where roads were mostly unimproved dirt Treat, Mark Sceurman a popular destination for urban exploration Troy... A series of main roof girders tons of rubble away from the I-10 and a. Became a popular destination for urban exploration until security guards were installed at the of. Arizona abandoned village trail thats sure to intrigue you temperatures, special precautions taken. With black polyethylene plastic sheets to conserve moisture as well be useful, please Contact me 23 2016! Be able to get pretty close Spiral Curves St, Goodyear,.... Bit more each day at Turf Paradise just north of central Phoenix, but with this, should! Called Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear, Arizona Park sat for many years with the desert Botanical Garden Gift,! 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