Paxtang Park was leased to the East Harrisburg Street Electric Railway Company from the Rutherford Estate on July 19, 1893, initially for a ten-year term.

Plans included constructing a fence surrounding the property (though the park would retain its free entry policy), a pavilion with a capacity of several hundred people, benches, and a "gravity railroad" (scenic railway).

The owners did not build a dancing pavilion, and they banned the sale of liquor to avoid "undesirable patronage".

Owner Thomas Kerstetter pledged many improvements to the park, including an additional roller coaster, an airplane swing, a carousel, a new Ferris wheel, and a dancing pavilion.

Ten miles of trails used for hiking and mountain biking are currently located on the Capital Area Greenbelt and maintained by SAMBA.