On May 17, 1935, a special town meeting approved rezoning Bowles Agawam Airport for parimutuel horse racing.
[7] After Herd took control, James C. Thornton replaced Lou Smith as the track's general manager and Ed Brennan took over as racing secretary.
[9] On August 17, 1936, the track was put up for auction by the Agawam town collector due to unpaid taxes, however, no one bid on the property.
[10] On March 29, 1937, Judge Sweeney gave the Agawam Racers and Breeders Association approval to hold races that summer.
[12] On November 8, 1938, Hampden County voters rejected a referendum permitting parimutuel betting on horse racing 22,586 votes to 17,487, forcing the closure of Agawam Park.