Amid the raceday revelry and the promise of a "unique outdoor gated area with umbrella picnic tables in a casual atmosphere," at Turf Paradise, concerns remain prevalent among neighbors. The storied racetrack, a stalwart in the Valley of the Sun, now finds itself at the center of a less flattering narrative, one that speaks to inconvenience and ecological neglect rather than the thunder of hooves and the thrill of victory.
Neighbors have voiced their unease over what they describe as a "biohazard" due to the accumulation of manure at the racetrack. Ray Gorny, a resident who often finds his daily walks marred by the scent and the invasion of flies, said, "When the wind’s blowing the right way, it’s horrible," according to ABC15. Bob Santo, a 20-year resident adjacent to the track, echoed the sentiment, lamenting that evening relaxation outdoors has become untenable.
Addressing the issue, Vincent Francia, General Manager of Turf Paradise, admitted understanding of the grievances, especially as this year the manure management process transitioned to creating fertilizer through solar drying, possibly intensifying the conditions. "Our apologies to the residents and the families that have had their lives disrupted by this," Francia told ABC15. In response to the current situation, the racetrack has been cited by Maricopa County and the City of Phoenix, each imposing its requirements for resolution.
The citations require the venue, celebrated for hosting everything from company picnics to weddings, to remove the uncontained manure and manage the rest to prevent fly breeding. However, with an admirable range of events and hospitality options, as detailed on Turf Paradise's website, the track aims to convey an image of refinement and excitement. The juxtaposition between the venue’s promised elegance and current sanitation woes underscores the complexities inherent in such operations, especially in close quarters with residential neighborhoods.
With one citation issued on February 18 by the Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department and the other notice by Maricopa County, there appears to be a convergence on the urgency to address the issue. While Francia contends there are "conflicting orders on how to solve the problem" between the organizations, neighbors like Santo are imploring for "better maintenance of the property," a point of contention they hope will be resolved with the same fervor and efficiency one might associate with the race days hosted by the very track in question.
