Today marks the final day of live horse racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, bringing to a close more than a century of history in Ozone Park.
For generations, Aqueduct has been one of the landmarks that put our community on the map. Since opening in 1894, it has welcomed some of the greatest horses in racing history, employed thousands of New Yorkers, and even hosted Pope John Paul II during his historic 1995 visit, when more than 100,000 people gathered at the racetrack for Mass. For many, Aqueduct is more than a racetrack. It is part of Ozone Park’s identity.
Many people believe the property will simply become an expansion of the casino. That is not the case.
The approximately 100 acre site is owned by New York State, and the State is asking residents to help shape its future before any decisions are made. While developers will certainly present ideas, no final plan has been approved.
Unfortunately, not enough people have been participating. This is one of the largest redevelopment opportunities our community has ever seen, and if we do not speak up, others will make those decisions for us.
There is still time to get involved. Take the community survey and register for one of the upcoming workshops in September.
👉 https://esd.ny.gov/aqueduct-redevelopment-project
Today we say goodbye to a historic chapter in Ozone Park’s history. Now, let’s help write the next one.