Wonderland Greyhound Park

Wonderland Greyhound Park was a prominent greyhound racing track located in Revere, Massachusetts. Operating for over seven decades, it was a major part of the New England sporting and gambling landscape. The track's closure followed a statewide ban on greyhound racing, leading to significant redevelopment plans for its valuable site.

History

The facility opened in 1935, capitalizing on the growing popularity of pari-mutuel betting during the Great Depression. It was developed by a syndicate led by entrepreneur John J. Reynolds, who also had interests in other regional tracks. For many years, it operated under the name Wonderland Park, sharing its branding with the adjacent Wonderland Ballroom and amusement park. The track's early success was intertwined with the rise of organized crime figures in Boston, such as those associated with the Winter Hill Gang, who were known to frequent the venue. Throughout the mid-20th century, it remained a staple of the local entertainment scene, drawing crowds from across the Greater Boston area.

Operations and racing

As a licensed pari-mutuel facility, Wonderland operated a full schedule of live greyhound races, typically holding performances in the evenings and on weekends. The racing season generally ran from spring through fall, with the track competing for patrons and betting handle with nearby venues like Raynham Park and the now-closed Taunton Dog Track. The oval track surface was composed of a sand and loam mixture, and races were contested over various distances. Key events included the Wonderland Derby and other stake races that attracted top dogs from kennels across the United States. The operation employed hundreds, including trainers, kennel workers, mutuel clerks, and security personnel, and was regulated by the Massachusetts State Racing Commission.

Closure and redevelopment

The track's fate was sealed in 2008 when Massachusetts voters approved Question 3, a ballot initiative that outlawed commercial greyhound racing by January 1, 2010. Wonderland held its final race on September 18, 2009. Following its closure, the extensive property, situated near the Revere Beach shoreline and the MBTA's Wonderland station, became a prime target for redevelopment. Initial proposals included large-scale mixed-use projects featuring retail, residential, and entertainment components. The site's redevelopment has been a prolonged process involving the City of Revere, various developers, and community planning groups, with discussions often focusing on traffic impact and economic revitalization for the North Shore region.

In popular culture

The track served as a filming location for several notable projects, most famously appearing in the 2006 Martin Scorsese crime drama The Departed, which featured scenes shot in its grandstand and betting areas. Its distinctive neon signage and gritty, working-class atmosphere made it a visually iconic setting for depicting Boston's character. The venue is also referenced in the dialogue of other films and television series set in the area, and it held a place in local lore as a backdrop for both legitimate entertainment and underworld activity, cementing its status in the cultural history of Suffolk County. Category:Greyhound racing venues in Massachusetts Category:Defunct sports venues in Massachusetts Category:Revere, Massachusetts Category:1935 establishments in Massachusetts Category:2009 disestablishments in Massachusetts