The McCormicks donated 100 acres of virtually undeveloped land to the City of Scottsdale for park (70 acres west of Scottsdale Road/30 acres east of Scottsdale road – both parcels south of Indian Bend Road). Guy Stillman, son of the McCormicks and Scottsdale resident, presented the deed to the land to Scottsdale Mayor Bud Tims at a ceremony at the ranch December 13, 1967. In his acceptance speech, Mayor Tims said, in part, “They [the McCormicks] led the way in development of Scottsdale, and when the city expanded, were the first to ask inclusion within its new boundary. Much of the master plan the city has recently adopted generated from ideas of the McCormicks. Their vast holding make it possible for the city to realize this plan. When a month ago I received from Mrs. Anne McCormick a letter advising me of their gift to the city of 100 acres of land, I was struck with sincerity and kindness shown. The second paragraph of this letter represents the spirit of this kind woman. I quote it now: “I loved my children dearly – who had many advantages. It gives me great pleasure to be able to make other children happy.” I am delighted to be able to accept this wonderful gift on behalf of the people of Scottsdale, and to pledge to you the city’s determination to develop recreational and cultural facilities of this site.”
City of Scottsdale Resolution #608 formally accepted the gift on December 19, 1967. According to a history compiled in 1979 by Guy Stillman, “The appraised value was $800,000 which constituted one of Arizona’s significant gifts to the public sector.” Fowler McCormick also donated funds to get the park started.
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