News

New Parking Area Added to Backstretch

While the casino is creating tremendous changes on the front side, it is also changing the landscape of the barn area as well. Before the groundbreaking of the casino in September 2007, there was a lot of room next to barn 16 for trailer parking. The north parking lot to the grandstand was also utilized for horsemen to park their trailers. Whether for permanent stables with trailers on the grounds or horses shipping in just to race, there was enough space for everyone to park.

Since the north parking lot area was planned space for the casino, a new trailer parking was created on the opposite side of the current barn area. The area has been built on 2.8 acres between barns two and three on the north side of the backstretch area.

The topsoil from production will be put to good use in the landscaping around the fence. The entrance to the lot includes a crossover which allows passage over the culvert that separates the lot from the rest of the barn area.

“This has been a big plus because of the extra room available in the barn area,” said Kevin Mack, Hoosier Park director of backside operations and Standardbred racing. “This area now allows for a safe, fenced-in area for the horsemen to park their trailers while they are here at Hoosier Park.”

The new lot was constructed using the old millings from the former parking lots in the grandstand area. A chain link fence encloses the entire lot and eight light poles were put in place to keep it well lit for horsemen during their stay at Hoosier Park.