The Los Alamitos Race Track held its first horserace in 1947. The Track has provided jobs, tax dollars and notoriety to the community for decades. However the sun has begun to set on this local landmark. The closing of the Race Track is inevitable and changes are certain.
The Los Alamitos Race Track held its first horserace in 1947. The Track has provided jobs, tax dollars and notoriety to the community for decades. However the sun has begun to set on this local landmark. The closing of the Race Track is inevitable and changes are certain.
Being part of the community as part of the staff at Cottonwood Church for many years has given me close, firsthand knowledge of the Race Track and community. At some time in the not too distant future the Track will cease to operate. There will be 160 acres to repurpose or it will set in non-use. The second option is of great concern because of safety reasons for Cottonwood Church and the community. If the 160 acres of the Race Track sets in non-use it will become an eyesore. Empty unused grounds will breed rodents and insects. These will spread disease at the track and the surrounding establishments as well as nearby neighborhoods. Coyotes would also breed and thrive in the 160 acres of unused land. They would become a nuisance and a danger.
Early one morning while coming to the Cottonwood Church campus on Moody Street heading south, close to the Race Track I saw a coyote trotting form the direction of the Race Track north up to where the Boys and Girls Club is located. The park surrounding the Boys and Girls club is an attractive spot for coyotes. If the Track sits in non-use the coyotes that breed there will venture out looking for food such as small dogs, cats and what’s in trash cans. The safety of the children at the Boys and Girls Club as well as the neighbors would be compromised.
The Race Track grounds would also become a place for mischief to take place. There could be vandalism and other unsavory activities.
As the sun sets on the Los Alamitos Race Track, suitable zoning being in place could save years of the land sitting vacant and unused. Hopefully developers would also be in place to help create a new sunrise on this property.
Rev. Mike Wilson
Cypress
