Site News and Updates

July 23, 2020 - Nearly three years after the beloved Trotting Park was reduced to a pile of rubble, still nothing has been done with the site. 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. Only the 55.47 acre "pit parcel" remains for sale at this time.

June 17, 2018 - With the Phoenix Trotting Park now demolished, the land has been listed again with Colliers, this time for $24 million. 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. 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. With a prime location at the I-10 and Loop 303 interchange, it is only a matter of time before someone decides to acquire the site. 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.

October 22, 2017 - Two new videos have been added to the Videos page. I have also added some demolition pictures to the Photo Gallery page. Still hard to believe that it's really gone.

October 20, 2017 - It's hard to believe that after more than half a century, this amazing structure has been reduced to a pile of debris in just a week's time. This is pretty much the worst outcome that every fan of the Trotting Park did not want to see happen. The memory of this place lives on in our pictures, videos, and news stories. 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



September 27, 2017 - Dear friends, visitors, and fans of the Phoenix Trotting Park - Today I am saddened to report that the owners have begun demolishing this truly unique and iconic structure. 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. It is upsetting that this once-majestic grandstand was not saved. Please see the links below for media coverage of the start of the demolition process:

SEP 27, 2017 - AZCENTRAL - Demolition of massive Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear begins

SEP 27, 2017 - AZCENTRAL - What is the fate of the Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear?

SEP 27, 2017 - FOX10 PHOENIX - Abandoned Phoenix Horse Trotting Park demolished in Goodyear

SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - Facebook Live Stream of trotting park demolition

SEP 27, 2017 - AZFAMILY - RAW VIDEO: Aerial view of Goodyear horse trotting park demolition

SEP 26, 2017 - AZFAMILY - Phoenix horse trotting park set for demolition Wednesday



July 9, 2017 - FOX 10 Phoenix: Goodyear Police Asking People to Stay Away from Trotting Park. 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. Please be respectful of the No Trespassing signs posted around the building. This website is not affiliated with the owners of the Trotting Park in any way, and I genuinely wish they would find a way to preserve or re-use the building instead of tearing it down.

June 30, 2017 - Huge photo update! Have added a whole new section of almost 50 images including vintage advertisements and rare construction photos to the Photo Gallery page.

May 22, 2017 Here is a roundup of the recent news stories about the Trotting Park:

MAY 22, 2017 - FOX10 PHOENIX - Abandoned Phoenix Trotting Park scheduled to be demolished in December

MAY 21, 2017 - KTAR NEWS - Phoenix Trotting Park, an iconic horse-racing track, will be demolished

MAY 20, 2017 - ARIZONA REPUBLIC - Iconic Phoenix Trotting Park along I-10 in Goodyear set for demolition

MAY 18, 2018 - COLLEGE TIMES - All Abandoned: 8 Forbidden & Forgotten Spots around Arizona

MAY 17, 2017 - AZFAMILY - The old Phoenix Trotting Park set for demolition (video)

MAY 17, 2017 - WEST VALLEY VIEW - Demolition Zone Ahead

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. Also added a few new letters from readers.

May 18, 2017 - Two more great news stories in the news today about the Trotting Park. Thank you to the College Times and 3TV/CBS5 for your interest in the story of the Trotting Park.

May 17, 2017 - Very sad to report that the Trotting Park is in the beginning stages of demolition, starting with asbestos removal. Read the latest details in this excellent article from the West Valley View: "Demolition Zone Ahead" from the West Valley View. Also, look for a mention of the Trotting Park on Page 6 of the May 18-June 22 issue of the College Times, found on college campuses throughout the Valley.

May 14, 2017 - Couple of site fixes and upgrades today. 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! Stay tuned for a big photo update coming soon!

April 14, 2017 - A third person has now sent me a drone flyover video of the trotting track, and it's one of the best I've seen yet! Big thanks to Scott Elder for sharing this video with us. Check it out on the videos page.

March 18, 2017 - It appears that the sale of the Trotting Park fell through and was not finalized. The sale was expected to close by the end of 2016, which did not happen according to public records. 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. If anyone knows any information about it, please use the Contact Form to send me some details!

December 7, 2016 - Wow! Just received an email with a 2nd great drone video of the park from Fly UAS AZ! Thanks for sending it in. He did get permission before flying there. Visit the videos page to watch the clip.

November 21, 2016 - Huge thanks to Gary Oglesby for sending in his drone footage of the Trotting Park. He did get permission before flying there. Check it out on the videos page.

November 1, 2016 - I have added a new page of fan mail and letters from readers about the Trotting Park.

September 7, 2016 - We are saddened to announce the passing of James J. Dunnigan Jr. The elder James J. Dunnigan was the one who built the Phoenix Trotting Park, and he passed away in 1983. His son of the same name recently passed away on August 22, 2016 in Phoenix. Read his Obituary and this article about his life from HarnessRacing.com.

August 23, 2016 - Phoenix Trotting Park is in the news again, this time in The Arizona Republic. Check out Long-vacant Phoenix Trotting Park in Goodyear is in escrow, could be demolished by Adrian Hedden.

August 10, 2016 - Sale pending! According to a new article published in the West Valley View, the Phoenix Trotting Park is in escrow. The buyers and the sale price have not yet been disclosed. Also I have fixed the Contact form. Many thanks to everyone for their patience.

August 7, 2016 - Huge photo update!! Many readers have reached out to me with submissions of photos of the Trotting Park. Thanks to Annie for sending in photos from 'The Harness Horse' magazine and to Mike at PaperJet for their contributions. Check them out on the Photo Gallery page.

March 27, 2016 - Photo update: I have recently come across some new, never-before seen photos of the Trotting Park. Check them out on the Photo Gallery page.

January 14, 2016 - HUGE NEWS!!! The Trotting Park has been listed for sale! The asking price for the 194-acre parcel of land is a whopping $16,500,000 USD! View the listing here: Phoenix Trotting Park by Colliers International.

January 12, 2016 - The Trotting Park was the subject of a major story today in the Arizona Republic. Read the article here: Huge Trotting Park in Goodyear Marks 50 Years Standing Empty.

January 12, 2016 - The Trotting Park celebrates its 51st year today.

June 22, 2015 - We are now on Twitter! Follow us @PHXTrottingPark.

April 2, 2015 - The new site is online!