For many years greyhounds were imported into the United States and raced at Wonderland after racing in Ireland (and sometime England). ), Demolition of the track began in 2017, with the investment company that owns it looking for a buyer for redevelopment. The first Wonderland Ballroom opened in 1906 as part of the 25-acre Wonderland amusement park on the site of the old greyhound park. ... Boston Construction & Dev. He cited events including September 11, the Ansett and HIH collapses, bushfires and SARS. Learn about this famed greyhound racing track located in Revere, Massachusetts, including track features and history. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . Wikimedia Commons/Tichnor Bros. Inc., Boston, Mass. Wonderland offered a grandstand area and a two-story clubhouse. [2][3] Under the leadership of the Westwood Group, the park made a total of four handles of over 1 million dollars; they occurred on August 29, 1981 ($1,004,826), May 5, 1983 ($1,004,740), August 11, 1984 ($1,086,554) and April 30, 1988 ($1,025,928).[1]. Wonderland Greyhound Park, Inc., Foxboro Harness, Inc., and Foxboro Thoroughbred, Inc. (racetracks), that, pursuant to a written opinion of the Attorney General, distribution and payment of unredeemed winnings from money wagers placed on simulcast races are to be handled in accordance with G. L. c. 128A, Sect. Our news is free and we intend to keep it that way. Wonderland Greyhound Track annually hosts the sport's star athletes during two of the industry's premier open stake events - The Grady Memorial Sprint and the Wonderland Derby. Cited as the key to keep Wonderland open, casino gambling was proposed for the site. It employed hundreds and even grossed $1M in bets on single races on four different occasions. The termination of a rapid transit line (the "Blue Line") was directly across the VFW Parkway from the track. The track had a large parking lot adjacent to the track (now used to store rental cars from nearby Logan Airport) and a second large parking lot across the VFW Parkway (now a strip shopping center anchored by A Staples and a 99 Restaurant). Ward 5 Councillor John Powers visited the Wonderland Greyhound Park site Thursday, looking on as workers resumed their demolition of the former greyhound track. This race, known as "The Hot Box" was for the finest greyhounds racing at the meet. The dog racing track's lifespan was defined by actions of the State. Ames-Webster Mansion to Transform into Three Luxury Condos; [6], [7][8] Races on cold days were made possible through the use of over 7 miles (11 km) of underground piping that heated the racetrack. The park, which years ago was jammed with visitors, is enclosed by a chain link fence and a natural barricade of fallen trees on one end, and a towering mound of dirt near the center of a weedy lot. Wonderland quickly became the premier greyhound racing venue in the Northern United States. Demolition work has begun at the former Wonderland Greyhound Park, where dogs raced until 2009. With the legalization of Parimutuel betting by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1934, the idea of Wonderland Greyhound Park was made a possibility. In 1973 Seabrook Greyhound Park opened, and began competition with Wonderland. The track laid off the remaining 75-80 workers and closed its doors after Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick vetoed a gaming bill that could have allowed the park to add slot machines. Simulcast operations continued until 2010, when the park closed for good. In its heyday, the Wonderland Greyhound Park had as many as 10,000 visitors per day coming to watch dog races. All Rights Reserved. Greyhounds which did not finish fourth or better in any three consecutive races were dropped a grade, to improve the competitive nature of the racing. Boston. Pictures of Wonderland Greyhound Park. The Westwood Group, operator of several large successful Boston area restaurants headed by restaurateur Charles Sarkis and insurer James Kelley purchased the track in 1977 from Boston businessman Joe Linsey; new management along with the 1978 omnibus racing bill were economically beneficial as Wonderland's offerings began to expand. View count: + News. Ward 5 Councillor John Powers visited the Wonderland Greyhound Park site Thursday, looking on as workers resumed their demolition of the former greyhound track. Fun for the whole family. The upper floor of the clubhouse offered a sit down dining room, which on weekend evenings generally required advance reservations and was known for the quality of its food. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff/Globe Staff In its … Located 5 miles north of historic downtown Boston, Wonderland has hosted greyhound racing continuously since it opened in 1935. The Huestis Course (seldom run) was 9/16's of a mile. [15] The 2011 Expanded Gaming Act legalized casinos in the state, but the Boston-area license went to Wynn Boston Harbor and the slot parlor license to Plainridge Park Casino . The site had been converted from an amusement park to a bicycle track at the turn of the century. The event in itself was rather uneventful. [4] As a result, live races ended at the park on September 18, 2009. It has raised nearly $400,000 since January 2007, nearly 10 times as much as opponents of the ban have raised. Workers are demolishing the facilities of Wonderland Greyhound Park, including its clubhouse and grandstand, on the way toward leveling the … Racing fans still come to sit at tables in front of television monitors at Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, one of the state’s two dog tracks. The track was constructed on the site of the former Wonderland Amusement Park in Revere, which had been converted from an amusement park to a bicycle track after the park closed in 1911. The greyhound racing lure was affectionately known as "Swifty", spawning the repetition of the track announcer's call "There goes Swifty!" 1 On August 13, 2008, a nearly two-year discussion ended with Richard Fields, the principal owner of the Suffolk Downs horse track in East Boston, Massachusetts. The track passed into the individual ownership of Joseph Linsey. For the evening programs, a single Grade AA race was run. Wonderland Greyhound Park closed its doors on August 19, 2010, laying off the remaining 75-80 workers. Pictures of Wonderland Greyhound Park This page features some pictures from the Wonderland Greyhound Park. As a result of a statewide ban on dog racing which took effect on January 1, 2010, the track offered only simulcast wagering, but completely closed its doors on August 19, 2010. [1], The opening night of Wonderland Greyhound Park took place on June 12, 1935 and was attended by an estimated 5,000 people. Wonderland Greyhound Park shut down after 75 years on Thursday, a move that follows the end of live dog racing in Massachusetts and the apparent demise of a … Most Boston area television stations carried video of the winners of the first two (Daily Double) races each evening and the video results of any stakes race. [9], Voters of the commonwealth passed the Massachusetts Greyhound Protection Act through a referendum held on November 4, 2008 which banned greyhound racing statewide as of January 1, 2010. By July 21, after 17 race nights, the money wagered topped $100,000, never dropping below the figure for the duration of the park's 100 night inaugural season.[1]. The site had been converted from an amusement park to a bicycle track at the turn of the century. Wonderland Greyhound Park, Inc. v. Autotote Sys., Inc., 144 F.Supp.2d 25, 29 (D.Mass.2001). Upcoming regulations in the European Union require us to show this pop-up and ask you to agree to keep using Bisnow.com. It was constructed on the site of the former Wonderland Amusement Park. Generally all greyhounds racing at the meet would race exclusively at Wonderland, after running at various tracks in Florida during the winter months. Built on the site of the former Wonderland Amusement Park, the track opened in June of 1935 with typical racing seasons running from April through September. With the end of its greyhound racing, Wonderland formed a partnership with nearby Suffolk Downs horse track to build a casino on the site, but this plan also allows the option of the track being redeveloped for commercial or mixed uses. Wonderland Greyhound Park History The track was constructed on the site of the old Wonderland Amusement Park in Revere. "Going Full Circle All Spruced Up, Here Comes Wonderland", "Wonderland Action Near Revere's Foreclosure Shouldn't Affest its Agreement with Track", "City fears effects of dog-racing ban's passage", "Suffolk Downs, Wonderland form partnership", "In defeat, dog tracks seek slots to save 1,000 jobs", "With the end of greyhound racing in sight, Bridgewater lawmaker vows to again file slots bill", "House, Senate give final OK to casino bill, but Patrick vows veto as it stands", Last stop, Wonderland: The old dog track is coming down, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wonderland_Greyhound_Park&oldid=1004329247, Defunct greyhound racing venues in the United States, Buildings and structures in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, All articles with vague or ambiguous time, Vague or ambiguous time from October 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 February 2021, at 02:16. Thirty-five All-American recipients have competed at Wonderland, including 18 Derby Champions. CBW, a consortium of Boston and New York investors, previously sold the nearby Suffolk Downs racetrack for $155M to HYM Investment Group, the Boston Globe reports. This page features some pictures from the Wonderland Greyhound Park. History of Wonderland Greyhound Park. The rabbit-shaped lure at the Topsfield Fair was Topsy , named for the town and the fair. [13] By mid-2010, the administration announced that it would allow three full casino resort licenses to non-racetrack locations and in a last minute compromise, added a provision for one slot parlor that a racetrack could acquire through competitive bidding. The bill, totaling $752,301, was finally paid in a lump sum in October 2008. At the conclusion of the Wonderland meet, many owners would race at Topsfield, prior to transferring their kennels to several tracks in Florida. (See Gambling in Massachusetts. Legal. This game used a mechanical rabbit that was called Swifty, and it would go around the outdoor track while the dogs chased after it. We need you to know that security is our top priority and that we hold any information we have about you under lock and key. CBW Lending, the track’s owners, is looking to sell the 38-acre property in Revere near the Wonderland MBTA station. We will email you a link to reset your password. Suffolk Downs would then share the license with Wonderland. Generally the racing program would carry information regarding either the last 8 or 10 races; other publications (such as the "Tel-Mor Book" would carry lifetime performance information and be available at additional cost). Wonderland rapidly copied those betting formats in 1975 with great success. History of Wonderland Greyhound Park. Wonderland Greyhound Park facts for greyhound racing fans. With the legalization of Parimutuel betting by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1934, the idea of Wonderland Greyhound Park was made a possibility. Such as in 2005 when 19 dogs died within hours at the Wonderland Greyhound Park. Revere Fire department Lt. Joseph Placet hoses down the area where a demolition team begins work on the demolition of Wonderland Greyhound Park. REVERE — … Demolition of the long-vacant former Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha could begin next month according to documents submitted to the state on behalf of the property’s owners. Demolition work has begun at the former Wonderland Greyhound Park, where dogs raced until 2009. The demolition of the Hinsdale Greyhound Park, Hinsdale N.H. Closed 2008 sat abandoned until 2013. We need you to be ok with our use of information like your general location or reading habits to personalize your experience, so we can suggest the right stories to read or events for you to attend. The greyhound "grading" system, instituted in 1946, provided a method for more accurate handicapping, resulting in increased handle. Postcard from Wonderland Greyhound Park circa 1930s, Also subscribe to Bisnow's Mixed-Use Newsletter, Biopharma Bails On $53M Lease With BioMed Realty Trust, Gets Immediately Replaced, Whoop Taking Full Building In Kenmore Project For New Headquarters, Boston's Lab Pipeline Won't Solve Its Hospitality Woes, With A $28.6B Grant Fund, Restaurant Landlords Hope To Recoup Lost Rent, Investors Ready To Flock To Life Sciences, Multifamily Assets As Inflation Looms, Also subscribe to Bisnow's National Newsletter. Wonderland. Wonderland Greyhound Park is a closed greyhound racing track located in Revere, Massachusetts formerly owned by the Westwood Group. At its peak, Wonderland was viewed as the top greyhound racing venue in the Northeast. The land at 6 Stack Street will feature a one-story ... What Would Happen after Demolition of Wonderland Greyhound Park? At its height, the Greyhound Park attracted more than 611,000 spectators in 1987. More than a year after its purchase by a development company specializing in large-scale retail projects, the former Plainfield Greyhound Park sits vacant. The day after what authorities believe was an arson fire at the former Dairyland Greyhound Park, demolition was continuing on the building. But his vision saw it blossom into much more, becoming a Victorian wonderland and Manchester's own theme park. Wonderland Greyhound Park was constructed on the site of the old Wonderland Amusement Park. [1] In addition, the park featured year round simulcast which allowed patrons to bet on races at other tracks. Points of interest in Revere include the Revere Beach, Kelly's Roast Beef, Necco Wafers, the Wonderland Greyhound Park, Short Beach, Paws & Play Dog Park, and the Revere High School. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Suffolk Downs and Wonderland did not overlap racing times; Suffolk Downs' card would end at about 5PM, and Wonderland's first race would generally be 8PM, later changed to 7 and 7:30PM. Wonderland Greyhound Park Demolition Leaves Big Question Mark; Developer Checks in to Southie; Taxpayers Might Face Choice of Property Tax, Home Deductions; Featured Boston Real Estate: 38 Hancock Street, #1, Beacon Hill — $769,000; 63 Atlantic Avenue, #5C, Waterfront — $1,200,000; 179 Marlborough Street, #PH, Back Bay — $3,900,000 Wonderland Greyhound Park features 0 slot machines for you to enjoy. Parkway, Revere, MA 02151 Phone: +1 (781) 284-1300 Fax: +1 (781) 284-7895 History of Wonderland Greyhound Track. Reviews (781) 284-0567. “They demolition project is back on target for completion by this winter after a brief delay because there was a problem with asbestos throughout the building,” said Powers. Wonderland's chief executive Stephen Galbraith said the park would close its gates because of a number of challenges faced by the tourism and leisure industry in recent years. Flickr member Nitram242 visited the closed and abandoned Dairyland Greyhound Park in June of 2011. It has been said traveling back in time, reminiscing, sharing one’s thoughts and feelings about significant events is important and good for the soul. Wonderland Greyhound Park shut down after 75 years on Thursday, a move that follows the end of live dog racing in Massachusetts and the apparent demise … In the over 75 years of operation Wonderland Greyhound Park serviced and catered to a large number of greyhound patrons. The site is part of the massive Hood Park redevelopment, which will ultimately include more than 1.7 million square feet of residential, office, lab and open space. REVERE — Clifford “Cliffy” Pisano watched in awe as a bulldozer put an end to the historic Wonderland Greyhound Park on Friday. Wonderland for many years operated successfully running at the same time as Raynham and Taunton, as the geographical distance was such that traffic made travel from Southeastern Massachusetts to the north suburban of Boston generally unfeasible. [10], Governor Deval Patrick's idea of introducing gambling to the state failed to make it through the legislature in 2007. The Park has an oval-shaped track. Wonderland was known throughout the industry for hosting the premier greyhound championship greyhound race each August, "The Wonderland Derby". After two years at a Boston junior college, where he “majored in gin rummy and minored in dog handicapping” at the Wonderland Greyhound Park, … You can browse our pics of Wonderland Greyhound Park or see the latest news headlines about Wonderland Greyhound Park on our site. Wonderland Greyhound Track was constructed on the site of the old Wonderland Amusement Park. Check more Daily News Loading... No Comments » No comments yet. Business began to taper in the 1990s when full-service casinos were built in Connecticut and Rhode Island and interest in greyhound racing diminished nationwide. “I can’t believe it’s coming down,” he said. As an attempt to stay in business, the number of daily races was increased, though the daily purse structure was not increased a great deal. Given its strategic access and proximity to public transit, regional roadways, and Revere Beach, several uses are being considered for the future site including hotels, office space, residential units, and a potential new commuter rail connection. Autotote appeals from that decision. Also, there have been reports of the animals being drugged and a huge story broke when it was discovered that a dog named Reese from the same racetrack tested positive for cocaine twice! It has been eight years since anyone rode to the end of the Blue Line to catch a race at Wonderland Greyhound Park, where work began this week to demolish … The track opened in 1935, and greyhound racing continued until 2009, a year after Massachusetts voted to ban the sport. HYM’s initial plans for that site include retail and housing, but it is viewed as a strong contender for Amazon HQ2 in Boston’s bid to land the e-commerce giant's second headquarters. Help Get directions, reviews and information for Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, MA. Benson’s Wild Animal Farm | Hudson, NH Touted as “the strangest farm on earth,” this park was developed by John Benson, a British animal trainer who had originally purchased a 200-acre lot about an hour north of Boston to serve as a temporary home for animals he would buy and sell. [10], Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore Dimasi, however, an opponent of casinos, said through an aide that he has not changed his opinion and would presumably urge the Massachusetts legislature to not allow casino gambling in the state. Wonderland Greyhound Park is a track in Revere, Massachusetts that offers year-round greyhound racing. FAQ. [5] A similar situation also occurred in 1994, when Wonderland's owners owed over $1.5 million in back taxes. Wonderland Greyhound Park annually hosts the sport's star athletes during two of the industry's premier open stake events - The Grady Memorial Sprint and the Wonderland Derby. Success! He was shifted to Wonderland Greyhound Park in Lynn, Mass., and raced there from April to October of 2006. When nearby Wonderland Greyhound Park was operating, the fair would hold a 10 day race meet right after the Park closed for the season. Thirty-five All-American recipients have competed at Wonderland, including 18 Derby Champions. Wonder No Longer There’s not much left to wonder about at the Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, MA. [14] As a result of the casino bill not passing, the owners found the continued operation of the park offering only simulcast racing to be uneconomical. ... over 125 cars took to the oval in a demolition derby. The track had a full liquor license and for many years the concessions were operated by Harry M. Stevens, Inc. Those days are gone as demolition work for the park has recently begun. Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, Mass., was open from 1935 to 2010. Racing was conducted over three distances: by far the most popular distance was .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}5⁄16ths of a mile. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. World Casino Directory also lists and books casino hotels in Revere. The dog racing track's lifespan was defined by actions of the State. Use the form below to reset your password. The crumbling Wonderland Greyhound Park building, first built in 1935, has been closed since … Wonderland Greyhound Park demolition leaves big question mark beside the Blue Line [Curbed Boston] Most Read Where to live in Boston in 2020 Take the … Wonderland Greyhound Park in Revere, Mass., was open from 1935 to 2010. Just hit yes and continue on your way. The ceremony, which … Wonderland Greyhound Park is located at 190 VFW Parkway, Revere, Massachusetts, USA. This race, which ended in 1988, often drew in excess of 30,000 fans. We want to take 15 seconds to tell you what's going on: Sound good? Greyhound would start in Grade "M" (maiden, no wins) though some tracks would employ a Grade "E", Wonderland did not, dogs winning a maiden race being placed in Grade D. If successful, dogs could progress possibly improving to Grade AA, or move up and down the grading system at various levels until retiring or being dropped as uncompetitive. Seabrook offered the "Trifecta" a gimmick bet where a better chose the first three finishers in exact order, and a very popular "quinela" first two finishers in either order, with odds prominently displayed on a specialized tote board. Nearly a quarter of a century later, the Wonderland Greyhound Park opened on the same property. Order Online Tickets Tickets See Availability Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. Wonderland Greyhound Park annually hosts the sport's star athletes during two of the industry's premier open stake events - The Grady Memorial Sprint and the Wonderland Derby. Pansy Walker won the first-ever greyhound race in the park while $58,462 was wagered for the first evening. Prior to moving to Florida last June, I had viewed the 2017 abbreviated beginning of the demolition, which has now been completed at 190 VFW Parkway, the former site of the Wonderland Dog Track. By the early 20th century its collection of … The track traditionally raced in the evenings only, at first beginning about Memorial Day, and closing the week prior to the opening of the "Topsfield Fair", a large 10 day agricultural fair operated by the Essex County Agricultural Society, which featured greyhound racing at its track in Topsfield, Massachusetts. The old dog track has sat empty since July of 1996, when the financially-strapped facility permanently closed after almost 10 years of operation. Thirty-five All-American recipients have competed at Wonderland, including 18 Derby Champions. These pictures were borrowed from the following resource on the Boston.com website can can be visited here for the official source. Several breeders specialized in raising dogs in Ireland and training them at Irish tracks prior to importing them to the US. That station, named then as now "Wonderland Station" remains very active to this day. Wonderland Greyhound Park closed its doors on August 19, 2010, laying off the remaining 75-80 workers. The best year for the track according to Sarkis was in 1991, but he claims that business started to taper off as full service casinos were built in Connecticut and Rhode Island, along with the lottery which started "nibbling at gamblers' available dollars".[4]. We need you to be cool with us holding onto your email address (if we already have it) and for us to email you about commercial real estate news and events. Wonderland Greyhound Park is located at 190 VFW Parkway, Revere, Massachusetts, USA. Wonderland experienced legal issues when the City of Revere attempted to collect overdue taxes and utility bills. Greyhound racing was conducted at two additional tracks in Southeastern Massachusetts at Taunton and Raynham, but the crowds and nightly handle at Wonderland substantially exceeded the handle at the other Massachusetts tracks.
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