Maine Spirit Harness Racing Survey – The Lost Trotting Parks Heritage Center

A casino with a hotel would be a successful environment for the sport of harness racing?

A destination resort would be a successful environment for the sport of harness racing.

Demonstration racing as is done in Cornish, Blue Hill, Pembroke, and Oxford serves as an excellent educational activity for people new to harness racing.

List ideas to improve demonstration racing at fairs and other locations.

Elements of a Destination Resort

19th styled hotel with restaurants, bars, and conference/exhibit rooms
Trip Planning Services: hunting, fishing, skiing, ocean excursions
Courtesy Vans for trips to the ocean, golf courses, and selected towns/cities
A walkway that surrounds the track that connects to businesses
An exercise room with views of the track
An ice cream parlor
A sportswear shop
A photo studio
A seafood restaurant with take out
A Barbecue Restaurant
A Steak House
An Italian Restaurant
Glassed in grandstand with seating for up to 500 people to view harness racing and other events
An IMAX Theater
A Ferris Wheel
A Merry-Go-Round
An Internet Cafe and Coffee Shop
In-door training horse arena for old and young alike
Stables for a variety of horse breeds for education, demonstrations and competitions.
Competitions areas within the track
Staging areas within the track for concerts and entertainment
Housing for post-secondary students enrolled in an equine studies programs at Maine Colleges
Housing for summer youth programs with three week sessions to introduce youth to working with, caring for, and competing with horses.
Host three week sessions that introduce students to the sport of harness racing -- from the paddocks, on the track, and on top of the grandstand
Video feeds of track and infield activities at every business surrounding the track
Free WiFi with access to live feeds of racing and most track events
Amateur Driving Club
Apartments with annual leases
Creation of a 19th century Maine village with country church, Grange Hall, Opera House, Town Hall, Museum, Blacksmith Shop, Oyster Saloon & Confectionery, General Store, Clothing Store, and a carriage ride business
Barns and stables as home of your state's sire stakes program
Integrate retired Standardbreds to work as carriage horses, riding under saddle, and training carriage drivers
Work with veteran groups to develop strategies to hire veterans and establish support group services
Intergenerational housing development adjacent to the resort complex with riding and carriage trails.
All of these items

The destination resort concept as a home for harness racing would be to create an environment that will attract tourists throughout the years from anywhere and everywhere, and from the State of Maine. Please check items you believe would be popular and enduring attractions.

List the top five factors that create positive experiences for harness racing

List ideas to increase live attendance at harness racing tracks.

List two ideas that track management can implement to enhance fan enjoyment and engagement in the sport of harness racing

List two ideas that would bring new owners into the sport of harness racing.

Enter Track Names and locations for five tracks you believe offer the best harness racing experiences for owners and fans in the United States and Canada.

List up to five characteristics common to each of the tracks listed in the previous question.

If you would like a sample of the findings prior to the published report, please enter your e-mail address below.

Harness Racing -- From its Past to Present to Create its Future in the 21st Century

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