Prior to 1995, Over-Development Took a Toll on Scenic Corridor Vistas and Vegetation
“Paving The Way to Ruin; Developments are threatening Valley’s scenic vistas”, Arizona Republic, December 17, 1995
This article, a part of the Republic’s “An Acre and hour: The price of sprawl” examines the impact of growth on the Valley’s scenic areas. The Desert Foothills Scenic Drive is featured. One picture shows the Boulders with traffic backed up by the widening of Scottsdale Road with the following caption, “scenic roads within an hours drive of Phoenix are falling prey to intense pressure of the Valley’s population boom.” A second picture shows the ocotillo plant exhibit in front of Bent Tree estates with the following caption: “Surrounded by developments and paved streets, a long ocotillo is a remnant of the 17-mile Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, a testament to the decline of what was once described as the “”most beautiful desert in the world””.
The articles describes some of the assaults on the drive:
“In 1985, over bitter opposition of residents the Phoenix City Council approves … Tatum Ranch. Developers turn down residents request to keep homes 300 feet away from scenic drive, but agree to build no closer than 205 feet”.
In 1992, a county official ordered a work crew to bulldoze the drive’s monument sign on Cave Creek Road. Resident protest and a new sign is installed a year later.
In 1994, the Phoenix City Council ignores the setback established by Maricopa County and approves a residential subdivision within 20 feet of the drive.
In 1995, the Phoenix Planning Commission recommends a commercial development next to the scenic drive at Tatum Boulevard.
In 1995, Arizona Public Service Co. announces plans to install high-voltage lines that will cross the scenic drive near a favorite photo spot for tourists. (Partly because of our efforts these lines will be buried. ed.) The article mentions that residents along Scottsdale Road were rallying to preserve the drive.
“Scottsdale Preservationists try to save desert along scenic drive”, Arizona Republic, February 17, 1995
This brief article, which includes a picture our own Jim Bayles and Les Conklin trimming shrubs in front of the old monument sign on Scottsdale Road, discusses the Foothills Homeowners’ Coaltion’s plan to restore the drive. The article quotes Corki Cockburn, the drive’s founder as saying, “I’m delighted these people are doing the restoration.” The article mentions our plans to celebrate the restoration of the drive on February 25th.
“30 years down the road, scenic drive restored”, Tribune Newspapers, Uniquely Scottsdale, February 12, 1995
This article describes our restoration efforts and includes pictures of some of the more than 50 volunteers who were involved. The article quotes Nancy Yates Powers, “We’re trying to make it a corridor of what made it attractive in the first place. So much of what we moved here for is no longer visible”.
Ed Villa, manager of Scottsdale’s Keep America Beautiful is quoted, “This is exactly what we are trying to do … weave a tapestry of community involvement with city government”. Villa also said that the city is coordinating the Adopt-A-Highway program and providing scenic drive signs along Scottsdale Road. (These were the first scenic road signs ever posted in Scottsdale and they were designed by Susan Conway, a member of Friends – ed.).
“New Life for the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive”, The Carefree Enterprise, November 1995
This is an excellent article which describes the history of the drive and features pictures taken at our October 7th celebration of the enhancement of the old monument sign on Scottsdale Road. Approximately 150 people attended the affair which was catered by Outback Steakhouse and attended by Mayor Herb Drinkwater, U.S. Congressman J.D Hayworth, and Council Members Mary Manross, Donald Prior and Robert Pettycrew.
At this celebration the wooden drive entry sign that had stood on the east side of Scottsdale Road for more than three decades was turned over to the Cave Creek Museum upon the request of the Cave Creek Improvement Association. The celebration was preceded by a litter pickup effort along the drive which was conducted by our organization in conjunction with Scottsdale’s adopt a highway program.
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