Scenic Drive: Reports and Summaries

Reports and Other Summaries

Maricopa County Planning Department Report, May 1966

This report was submitted to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Vince Thelander, a member of the County Planning Commission and a Cave Creek resident, chaired the study committee that prepared the report.

The report discusses how the scenic drive came to be designated, regulations enacted to prevent building within the future right of way requirements, distinguishing features of the drive including a diagram and description of the kinds of plants exhibited, and existing and proposed recreational facilities on or near the drive.

The report says, “The Desert Foothills Scenic Drive was established as a result of close cooperation between the Cave Creek Improvement Association (CCIA), various individuals, and governmental agencies.” According to the report the study which led to the formal designation of the drive began with a letter to the Board of Supervisors requesting a study. The letter was dated April 8, 1963.

The CCIA requested that the study have the following objectives: 1) To preserve the natural desert area, 2) to plan for future roadways leading into Cave Creek, Carefree and Tonto Forest in view of the “tremendous future growth”, 3) To prepare a strip map suggesting minimum setbacks, 4) To cooperate with the State and Federal governments in an effort to halt the sale of their lands along the subject roads during the time of study and consider control of part of these lands as roadside parks.

In the months following CCIA’s letter discussions took place between Planning & Zoning Commission, the State Land Department, CCIA, County Highway Department and others. On August 12, 1963 the preliminary plans were discussed at a meeting in Cave Creek attended by 50 people conducted by CCIA. At the meeting a resolution was adopted asking the County to proceed with the study and asked for the establishment of setback lines adequate to accommodate 210 feet of future right of way plus the required building setbacks. The effected roadway included “(1) Cave Creek Road from the 11 mile cattle guard north to the south boundary of Cave Creek, and (2) on Scottsdale Road from a point approximately 1 mile north of Currys Corner (Pinnacle Peak Rd; ed.) north to the south boundary of Carefree. The proposed setbacks became part of County Zoning Ordinance on December 30, 1963.

The report details setbacks and includes a map of the drive (see map), a diagram of plant sites (see diagram). Also in a section on parks and recreation facilities it proposes that parks be established and monument signs installed at the entry points to the drive on Scottsdale and Cave Creek Roads.

“Early History … “, Cave Creek Improvement Association, 1983

This 4 page document provides some interesting information. It begins,

“The road to Phoenix was a lovely, lonely drive through mesquite and palo verde thickets in 1960. The few people who drove to the city would return eased ito the slow pace of desert life by the comforting scenery.”

“As growth accelerated with the construction of Scottsdale Road to the new Carefree, it was obvious the peaceful and beautiful roadside would not last long. The Cave Creek Improvement Association contacted then County Supervisor Barney Burns with their problem. His answer: we will help you in any way – as long as it doesn’t cost the County money.”

The people took up the challenge. Their objectives were: 1) to preserve the natural desert area; 2) to plan for future roadways leading into Cave Creek, Carefree and Tonto Forest; 3) to prepare a strip map suggesting establishment of minimum setback lines so that future condemnation proceedings would not be necessary; 4) to cooperate with the state and federal governments in an effort to halt the sale of their lands in this area, and consider control of part of these lands as roadside parks.”

“Les Rhuart and Vince Thelander of the CCIA Roads Committee began the steps to form the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, aided by then Director of Planning and Zoning Don Hutton. Gladys Nisbet listed the various species of plants to be identified together with their common names. Les Rhuart and Fred Griffin carefully picked the specific plants along the drive to receive the signs. The Cave Creek Building Supply provided space to work, and redwood at cost. Large crews of volunteers (called “Straw Bosses” and “Plant Parents”; ed.) routed, painted and finally installed the signs along the route. It took weeks and weeks of work through the spring of 1963 before it was finally ready.”

The document also lists more than 100 people as “present plant parents”. It says, “In addition, many individuals and and groups have picked up trash along the drive through the years. Also, many departments of the county have been of assistance”.

The last page of the report lists “Previous Plant Parents. The list includes approximately 300 names and also identifies Scout Troop #371.

Cave Creek was a tiny community and most of the people were involved in this effort to preserve the desert.

Background Information, “Desert Foothills Scenic Drive”, Jo Walker, 1987

Jo Walker invested numerous hours investigating other scenic roads in America. In July 1987, CCIA made a presentation to the Phoenix Planning and Zoning Committee. In August of 1986, the Phoenix City Council had formally designated the northern portion of Cave Creek Road as a Scenic Corridor. (The relatively few people who lived in the area at the time of annexation insisted that Phoenix and Scottsdale take this type of action to preserve the drive. ed.).

This letter of background information was submitted at the time of the presentation. In her cover letter, Jo writes, “These Scenic Corridors can be an attraction which draws people from around the world to see this unique Sonoran Desert’s natural habitat. They can see palm trees and golf courses in many states; but these saguaros, ocotillos, challis and other cacti and associated plants can only be found in our part of Arizona. Once gone, they can never be replaced.” Jo calls for protection to be written into the Master Plan and into the City Ordinances. The following pages propose specific measures such as a height restriction of 20 feet on buildings, restrictions on exterior colors, screening of non-indigenous plants; etc.

The letter calls for the creation of a park near the monument sign on Cave Creek Road south of Pinnacle Peak Road. The park would include an exhibit that visitors could enjoy. The exhibit would describe the drive. (The park was never built; ed.)

“Restoring the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive”, Letter from Les Conklin to volunteers identifying needs and suggesting organization, December 24, 1994

During November of 1994 the part of drive along Scottsdale Road was walked several times to estimate the amount of work that would be required to restore it. Research was conducted and Jo Walker and Corki Cockburn provided valuable background information. Also, there were conversations with Dick Bowers, City of Scottsdale, and Mayor Herb Drinkwater. Dick was very interested in learning all that he could about the drive and it was our desire to work as closely with the city as possible. Through Dick’s efforts, Les Conklin of Friends was put in touch with Ed Villa of Scottsdale Keep America Beautiful program. The idea being to build a relationship between the city and the residents regarding the drive.

In September of 1994 at a cookout sponsored by the Desert Foothills Homeowners’ Coaltion, there had been a call for volunteers to restore the drive. 35 Scottsdale residents came forward. This letter called for a meeting on January 5th to discuss the effort. The letter outlines what has to be done and proposed the types of organization that would be needed.

“Discovering the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive”, Scottsdale Magazine, Summer 1996

This travel-type was written by Les Conkin. The story covers the history of the foothills area, the history of the drive, the plants and scenery found along the drive. The article describes the search by Les and his sons for neglected plant sites and signs along Scottsdale Road. This search was the first step in the restoration of the Scenic Drive. The article includes color photographs of the area.

“Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, Restoration, Enhancement and Preservation: Phase 2″, Description of funding needs, Friends of the Scenic Drive, July 22, 1996

This document describes possible enhancements to the drive along Scottsdale Road including new drive entry signs, an exhibit and a visitor ramada. The document includes engineering drawings of the proposed features and cost estimates.