Fonner Park
Rate this placeNearby: Suck's Lake Park Ray Aquatic Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Fonner Park is a horse racing track and entertainment venue located in Grand Island, Nebraska.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a wide range of events and activities throughout the year.
One of the main reasons to visit Fonner Park is to experience the excitement of horse racing. Races are held from February to May, with a break during the summer months, before resuming again in the fall. Visitors can place bets on the races and enjoy the atmosphere of the track.
In addition to horse racing, Fonner Park also hosts a variety of other events throughout the year, including concerts, trade shows, and agricultural exhibitions. One of the highlights of the year is the Nebraska State Fair, which takes place in late August and early September and features carnival rides, food vendors, and a variety of agricultural and livestock exhibits.
There are several points of interest to see at Fonner Park, including the Heartland Events Center, which is a 7,500-seat indoor arena that hosts concerts and sporting events. The park also features a casino with slot machines and table games, as well as a restaurant and bar.
Interesting facts about Fonner Park include that it was founded in 1954 and has been a popular destination for horse racing enthusiasts ever since. The track has undergone several renovations and improvements over the years, including the addition of the Heartland Events Center in 2006.
The best time of year to visit Fonner Park depends on your interests. If you enjoy horse racing, then the spring and fall race seasons are the best times to visit. If you are interested in agricultural exhibits and the state fair, then late August and early September are the best times to visit. However, there are events and activities happening throughout the year, so there is always something to see and do at Fonner Park.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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