Southland Park Gaming and Racing
| Location | West Memphis, Arkansas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°09′49″N 90°09′38″W / 35.163704°N 90.160417°WCoordinates: 35°09′49″N 90°09′38″W / 35.163704°N 90.160417°W |
| Owned by | Delaware North |
| Date opened | 1956 |
| Race type | greyhound racing |
| Official website | |
Southland Park Gaming and Racing is a casino and greyhound racetrack in West Memphis, Arkansas. Over 400 greyhound races take place at the Park each year. Simulcast thoroughbred and greyhound races from other tracks around the United States are also offered. After years of attendance woes, Southland Park has regained popularity because neighboring casinos in Tunica, Mississippi experienced decapitating floods in the year of 2011. In 2014, it was announced that Southland was to perform a nearly $38 Million dollar expansion and renovation. It is one of the most visited attractions in the state of Arkansas and the City of West Memphis.
History
Southland Park began as a canine racing track in 1956. At its opening in 1956, Southland became Arkansas’s only greyhound racetrack, following in the tradition of the earlier Riverside Kennel Club, which was the first greyhound track in West Memphis. Riverside had been located at the Arkansas end of the Mississippi River bridge between West Memphis and Memphis, Tennessee, and proved to be a popular diversion. Based on that popularity, Southland was established after the demise of Riverside. Originally owned by the Upton family and other individuals, Southland was purchased by Delaware North Companies, Inc., based in Buffalo, New York, in the early 1970s.
Restaurants
Southland Park offers a wide variety of dining options such as Sammy Hagar's Red Rocker Bar & Grill, Bourbon Street Steakhouse and Grill, World Market Buffet, and Quinn & Ella's Café.
