Herb helped the Scenic Drive. You can too.
Aug01

Herb helped the Scenic Drive. You can too.

Herb helped the Scenic Drive. You can too. By Les Conklin In January 1995, Herb Drinkwater sent this note to me. It was important because it meant that he and the City of Scottsdale would help us keep the Scenic Drive scenic. In a vibrant growing community where development threatens the natural environment and quality of life, it takes steadfastness, work, TLC, and financial support to fend off the forces of time and change. Mayor...

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Photos: Scenic Drive Spring Growth, May 15, 2019
May01

Photos: Scenic Drive Spring Growth, May 15, 2019

April 18, 2021. The Palo Verde are just beginning to bloom. Looking what’s coming our way! Les Conklin  May 13, 2019 By Les Conklin Tt’s the middle of May and Palo Verde continue to bloom along the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive  in Scottsdale, Arizona’s.  The trees began to bloom late last month. The weather has been cooler than usual after a wetter than normal winter – contributing to a beautiful and...

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Tom Mix and Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive
Aug30

Tom Mix and Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive

Originally Published August 15, 2016 By Les Conklin Did you know that there is a connection between Tom Mix and Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive? I’m probably one of the few people in the world that know about the connection, but read on and you’ll know about it too. No; Tom Mix didn’t ride his favorite steed, Tony the Wonder Horse, down Scottsdale Road. No; Mix did not help create the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive....

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Scenic Drive Information Directory
Jul31

Scenic Drive Information Directory

Click on “SELECT” in the directory to view the associated topic. The restored section of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, originally established in 1963, is located along the northern-most section of North Scottsdale Road from Happy Valley Road to Carefree Highway in Scottsdale, Arizona. Preserving the heritage and natural beauty of the drive is a community initiative supported by Friends of the Scenic Drive. The Scenic...

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THANK YOU  VOLUNTEERS! January 11th Cleanup, 10 Miles of Success.
Jan13

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! January 11th Cleanup, 10 Miles of Success.

January 13, 2020 You Helped keep Scottsdale beautiful. It was a bit on the chilly side but that did not deter more than 20 volnteers from getting the job done. Because of your time and effort more than ten miles of roadside (five miles on each side of Scottsdale Road) have a splendid appearance. Jim & Lynn Schuttenberg Bill Scott Gina & Jake Kulp Ellen & Jim Conroy Gary Hohner Betty Zimpfer Connie Boose Chris Flynn Pete...

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DISCOVERED! Proposal to Restore Forgotten Scenic Drive …
Jun01

DISCOVERED! Proposal to Restore Forgotten Scenic Drive …

May 29, 2019 How Scottsdale re-discovered the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. By Les Conklin Recently I was digging through boxes of stuff in the storage room. I was looking for family genealogy information.  Instead of finding family history, I found copies of two email letters from long ago. The messages, which appear below, are about an historic landmark that many of us encounter every day.   O: Richard Bowers, 74511.165 DATE:...

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Friends of the Scenic Painted Utility Boxes, May 2002
Dec11

Friends of the Scenic Painted Utility Boxes, May 2002

Friends Paints Utility Boxes May 17, 2002 IT IS DONE. Our project to paint all the “boxes” in the Scenic Drive’s utility right- of-way has been completed! That is right. All utility boxes, cabinets, railings and posts on Scottsdale Road from Happy Valley Road to Carefree Highway have been painted to help them blend into the natural environment. This same dark brown/green color, selected by residents, was used by the City of Scottsdale...

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Thank You October 27 Scenic Drive Cleanup Volunteers
Nov10

Thank You October 27 Scenic Drive Cleanup Volunteers

October 31, 2018 Courtesy Friends of the Scenic Drive Photographs by Cindy Lee Thank you Alan Rosell, Bill Scott, Cindy Lee, Claire Powers, Copper Phillips, David & Diana Smith, Jim Smith, Les Conklin, Pete Gil, Peter Skidd and his daughter Sonya Skidd. Because of your efforts, we were able to clear litter along the northernmost 6 1/2 miles stretch of N. Scottsdale Road. Visitors heading our way are sure to appreciate our...

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Sneak Peaks: Please Don’t Post Campaign Signs on Scenic Drive
Jul05

Sneak Peaks: Please Don’t Post Campaign Signs on Scenic Drive

June 26, 2018 By Les Conklin President, GPPA-Friends of the Scenic Drive Please Support Local Tradition, Reduced Visual Pollution & Show Respect for Visitors To: Candidates for political office, Thank you for your community service. Thank you for investing your time and resources and running for political office. Once again, Friends of the Scenic Drive is asking all candidates for political office to refrain from posting campaigns...

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Thank You Apr 21 GPPA Scenic Drive Volunteers!
Apr24

Thank You Apr 21 GPPA Scenic Drive Volunteers!

April 22, 2018 By Cindy Lee with Les Conklin Photographs by Cindy Lee Thank you Scottsdale Roadside Cleanup Volunteers for your support! Thanks go to: Diana and Councilman David Smith, Gina and Jake Kulp, Bill Nelson, Marg Nelssen, John Rodwick, Mary and Frank Montgomery, Judy and Evan Haft, Jane and John Guild, Gary Hohner, Connie Boose, Betty Zimpfer, Chris Filipp, Pete Gil, Jane Ceasor and Glen Lenzen. A long-standing area...

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