McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Improvements

Project Overview

Construction is underway on several improvements to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The improvements combine several projects that were identified in the 2017 park master plan and focus on elements designed to boost park attendance during the summer months when park attendance declines.

Park improvements include: 

• A new 10,000-square-foot building, The Roundhouse, with a focus on train-themed play.  The building will include an indoor play structure in the shape of a locomotive engine and multipurpose room.  

• New restrooms to serve both exterior park users and the new indoor facility.
• A new 5,000-square-foot splashpad play area. 
• A new entry plaza next to Stillman Station that includes a seating area, landscape plantings and public art.
• Additional site improvements include new park pathways, exterior lighting, and shade trees.

The addition of a splash pad has been the most requested enhancement over the past several years and was identified during the master planning process as a key addition that will increase use and provide recreation opportunities in the summer. The splash pad, combined with the indoor play structure and new activity space will create a destination for families during the summer months.

Project Update

Construction work began in mid-April 2024 and take approximately a year to complete.  The construction site will be fenced off and this area of the park will be closed.  There are other playground areas and restrooms that are open during construction.  All other park features, including the train, will continue to run as scheduled.  

Project History

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park went through the formal process of updating the park’s Municipal Use Master Site Plan (MUMSP) in 2017. The plan included input from several groups, including the Scottsdale Railroad & Mechanical Society, the Parks & Recreation Commission, the Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission, and the general community. 

One of the primary deficiencies identified in the master planning process were the lack of activities in the summertime for park users.  The Railroad Park is essentially at capacity October through April. With major events during Halloween and the holidays and Valley-wide spring break and Spring Training in February and March, there is little capacity to serve additional visitors during the fall, winter and spring.

However, beginning in May when the temperature rises, the park’s attendance drops off dramatically. The hours of operation decrease due to minimal attendance and there is a great deal of capacity for additional visitors. Since children are out of school in the summer, this period is an idea time for the park to serve residents and visitors.

The total project cost of $13.1 million will come from several sources.  In the 2019 Bond Election, Scottsdale voters approved a project to add a splash pad and improve walkways at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, which will fund several of the improvements.  The indoor play structure is being purchased by the Scottsdale Railroad & Mechanical Society, the park’s non-profit partner. The remainder of the project is funded by the city’s general fund, park revenues and tourism funds. 

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is Scottsdale's signature park and generates approximately $2.5 million of revenue annually.