Willmeng Construction hit a major project milestone on a renovation project at the iconic McCormick Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale. Willmeng and its structural steel subcontractor, Castle Steel, recently raised the final support beam on the new, 7,500-square-foot Roundhouse, which will be a central feature of the newly renovated park.
Several members of the Stillman Family were on hand to sign the beam and watch it be lifted into place. They joined Scottsdale Parks & Recreation staff, members of the Scottsdale Railroad & Mechanical Society, the nonprofit group that oversees operations at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, Willmeng team members, as well as trade partners working on the park.
More about the Park
The 30-acre park is located in the heart of Scottsdale at 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd. It is the most unique park of its kind in the country and features the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, an exact 5:12 reproduction of a Colorado narrow gauge railroad. The improvements underway include new and improved amenities, including the replacement of the Bunkhouse and Clock Tower with the Roundhouse, which houses a signature railroad-themed indoor play structure, public restrooms, offices, conference rooms, and support spaces.
Site improvements include a new concrete plaza, new pavers, new concrete amphitheater, new landscape areas, construction of a new splash pad play area, and relocating the historic train cars. The scope also includes removing the existing restroom building and improving the park entry with new monument signage along with signature art and sculptures.
These needed improvements were identified in the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park Master Plan and funded in the city Capital Plan and in the 2019 Bond program. DWL Architects are leading the design of the site, which has received strong support from the community and the city council. With the framing of the Roundhouse complete, the project is more than 60% complete.
The improvements are designed to update the facility, yet maintain its historic charm that has made it a priceless community asset. A centerpiece of the park that will remain unchanged is the beautifully carved and meticulously restored Scottsdale Charros Carousel that was purchased by the Scottsdale Railroad and Mechanical Society with significant participation by the Scottsdale Charros, a local service group. Completed in 1950, it is registered with the National Carousel Association for the preservation of antique carousels.
The McCormick Stillman Railroad Park project is the second Scottsdale park that Willmeng was selected to renovate. The Willmeng team executed the transformation of the 12-acre Civic Center Plaza in downtown Scottsdale, completing work in 2023.
