Many Changes Wait Delaware Park Fans: Improvements Far-Reaching to Accommodate All Patrons; New Service Aids Motorists, Daily Racing Form, 1953-05-18

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4 ManyChangesWait Delaware Park Fans Improvements Far-Reaching To AccommodateAII Patrons; New Service Aids Motorists WILMINGTON, Del., May 16. — Just about the biggest physical changes since Delaware Park doubled the size of the grandstand some years ago, will be noticed by racegoers when they visit the Stanton oval beginning May 29, according to an analysis made by Donald P. Ross and Bryan Field, president and general manager of the states only thoroughbred course. "While many of the changes have been designed to accommodate the heavier and growing motor traffic, others will have a direct benefit to all racegoers, and increase their comfort and ease of movement while on the grounds. The most obvious change will be that he can get in with his car more conveniently and, for an extra fee, immediately get rid of the parking and handling of it by the service which has come to be known at race tracks as "valet parking." This service never before has been available on the main side of the track — that side which is reached via the Stanton entrance. Last year, 75.569 autos used the Route Two entrance, where valet parking has been available for years. There were 77,562 cars using the Stanton entrance, where a man could not get rid of his car quickly. To accommodate the public with the new facility, the traditional turb club entrance has been completely changed by an anchitectural design executed by Massena and Dupont. While this is a beautification of the entrance, it is basically utilitarian in order to protect racegoers from rain or sun when leaving or getting iheir cars. In addition, the capacity of the entrance has been increased twenty-fold. Another Valet Entrance Since the Stanton entrance side of the track has been getitng more and more traffic, including that from New Jersey, there is now available there still another valet parking entrance. This is located directly adjacent to the north end of the grandstand, and to many may appear to be more convenient than that at the turf club entrance. The two new valet parking entrances give Delaware Park a public service in this regard equal to any New York track, augmenting that which has long prevailed on the Route Two side of the track. Other values for the racegoer will be the more convenient location of the Pennsylvania R. R. entrance; the removal of the catering companys structures from within the grounds, a new structure in which are located augmented facilities for first aid and spacious lounges for the grandstand patrons. A further step is the relocation of the southerly entrance from one of the big parking lots so that motorists who do not desire valet parking will not have far to walk. Delaware Park continues its strict "no-tipping" policy and a 25-cent parking charge as in previous years. This fee does not protect a motorist from an insurance standpoint, but it does include free wrecking car service in the event of a breakdown free tire service if a "flat" should occur, and fire protection. Valet parking entails an additional charge of 50 cents, since a patrons car is taken from him as if by a chauffeur and is brought back to him after the races under the same conditions. Delaware Park has the largest parking space east of the Rockies. It covers 65 acres, with surfaced parking lots for 12,000 cars, and the lots can be cleared in 45 minutes. The main entrance to the stable yard has been moved as a means to eliminating any traffic congestion in and out of the track. To make the grounds even more attractive for the patrons, there has been additional landscaping and planting of shrubs and trees intended to enhance the rustic beauty of the track, particularly along the roads from the Stanton entrance. The 620-acre plant, surrounded by lush green countryside, never looked lovelier.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1953051801/drf1953051801_5_1
Local Identifier: drf1953051801_5_1
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800