Scottsdale Railroad Park Plans Major Upgrades

Scottsdale’s McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, born not from any historic connection the city has to the railroads but simply from the passions of Guy Stillman, is the envy of other communities, and plans are in the works for major renovations. The 30-acre city-operated park, on the southeast corner of Indian Bend and Scottsdale roads, opened in 1975. About 400,000 people a year come to ride the park’s miniature train.

Once complete, the park would have such things as a new building with better public access to large model railroad displays built by volunteers, a larger pavilion for birthday parties and events, and a more dramatic entrance. Plans also call for a users’ guide to direct patrons to under-appreciated gems such as a railroad car that carried three U.S. presidents.

About $400,000 has been budgeted for the master plan update, and construction could cost an additional $4 million. About $2 million of that would come from proceeds from the city’s previous sale of the remaining 70 acres of land donated by the McCormicks. The balance would be raised by the nonprofit from private donors.

The park has an annual budget of $1.4 million. Although admission is free, it brings in about $1.1 million in fees from concessions, rides, event reservations and souvenirs.

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