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.