Scottsdale’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with exciting new attractions aimed at boosting summer attendance.

The park unveiled a revamped outdoor playground in January and plans to open a new indoor, train-themed playground and splashpad play area this July.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park attracts around 1 million visitors annually, generating approximately $2.5 million in revenue.

While attendance is typically at capacity from October through April, it drops significantly in the summer, prompting the need for new attractions.

New attractions coming this summer

• A 10,000-square-foot building, the Roundhouse, is scheduled to open in July 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.

• A 5,000-square-foot splashpad play area is also on track to open in July. The addition of a splashpad 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.

• Plus, a new entry plaza next to Stillman Station that includes a seating area, plants, and public art, new restrooms, pathways, exterior lighting, and more trees.

The total cost for the projects is $13.1 million and will come from several sources, including bond financing approved by Scottsdale voters in 2019.

History of the park

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park opened October 4, 1975. The city celebrated the new park with free train rides, games, music and a Wild West Shootout.

Fifty years later, the community will gather again at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park for Railfair 2025, a two-day celebration Oct. 4 - 5 that will feature music, activities and a commemorative ceremony.

The railroad park was built on land donated from Fowler and Anne McCormick, who owned a large horse and cattle ranch at Indian Bend and Scottsdale roads in the 1940s.

In 1967, the McCormicks donated 100 acres of their ranch to the city of Scottsdale to be used as a park for all to enjoy.

At that time, the land was valued at $1 million.

The park was originally planned to occupy 50 acres on the west side of Scottsdale Road. However, it was moved across the street, wholly within Scottsdale city limits, prior to construction. The size of the park was also reduced from 50 to 30 acres.

Guy Stillman, Anne McCormick’s son, was the one who brought the park to life.

In 1971, he founded the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society, a nonprofit organization that provides technical expertise and has been instrumental in the development of park amenities through volunteer labor and donations.

Stillman began moving his Paradise & Pacific steam railroad to the park later that same year and donated two locomotives to the city.

The park opened four years later in 1975. It was originally called McCormick Railroad Park, but was renamed McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in 1996 to recognize Guy’s contribution to the city.

Plan your next visit

Over the last 50 years, the railroad park has continued to evolve. The signature attraction remains a ride along the Paradise & Pacific Railroad.

Visitors can also enjoy a carousel, model trail exhibit, general store, snack shop, and a railroad museum featuring a look inside the historic Roald Amundsen Pullman Car used by every president from Herbert Hoover through Dwight Eisenhower.

The park’s updated outdoor playground that opened in January includes new swings, slides, climbing structures, shade sails, and a mini stationary train.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including the Tracks N Tunes free concert series beginning April 27.

Visit TheRailroadPark.com to plan your next visit.