Courtesy of Friends of the Scenic Drive/GPPA
The Scenic Drive showcases FIFTY-TWO years of advocacy and community service by residents of Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Carefree, and Maricopa County, with the support of local governments and nonprofits. The Peak’s March-April 2013 issue’s centerfold, included below,  provides a snapshot (pun intended) of the Scenic Drive’s storied history. Below the centerfold,   you’ll find information about each of the centerfold’s photographs. Read these descriptions for a quick Scenic Drive tutorial.
“Save the Scenic Drive: GPPA Board & Voters Speak” Watch Video
“Save the Scenic Drive: Oppose the Zoning Switch” Watch Video
Centerfold, Left-Facing Page
A Peek at the Peak Magazine, March-April 2013 Issue, Page 16
Centerfold, Right-Facing Page
A Peek at the Peak Magazine, March-April 2013 Issue, Page 17
More Information about Scenic Drive Anniversary Images, 1963-2013
Thanking Corki Cockburn, 2010. The Scenic Drive was the 1963 brainchild of Maricopa County resident Corki Cockburn (center, blue sweater, left of Mayor Lane). She worked tirelessly for years as the idea was adopted by the Cave Creek Improvement Association and then Maricopa County.
Preserving Roadside Flora, Vistas, 1963-2013. From its founding, the purpose of the Scenic Drive was to preserve roadside flora and vistas. The Scenic Drive was the forerunner of modern-day scenic corridor programs in Scottsdale and Phoenix. Cave Creek’s Jo Walker, a leading Scenic Drive activist during the 1970s, was an early advocate of scenic corridors.
Scenic Drive Layout, 1964. The Scenic Drive was designed to protect roadsides entering Cave Creek. This diagram identifies the locations of plant exhibits along Cave Creek and Scottsdale Roads. The Cave Creek Road section has not been restored.
Cookout at the Ranch Entertainment, 2008. Mayor Manross (2nd left, black hat) joins enthusiastic Pinnacle Peak Rotary singers and Geoff Conklin (guitar) in unrehearsed serenade of lingering guests as another great cookout winds down.
Sign Posted by Scottsdale, 1995. North Scottsdale resident Susan Conway created the design of the first signs Scottsdale posted along the Scenic Drive. Mayor Campagna suggested that Susan include her signature since the design was a work of art.
Plant Exhibit, 1964. White paint was originally used to paint the rocks surrounding exhibit plants. Today a darker color is used.
Entry Sign, 1964. This sign was posted just north of the power line corridor on Scottsdale Road and designated the southern entrance to the drive.
Monument Sign, 1966. This cement slab monument with raised metal letters was installed on the east side of Scottsdale Road, just south of Jomax, by Maricopa County. Parking, restrooms, and picnic tables were available for visitors.
Matt McMahon, Community Support, 1995. Matt McMahon’s Outback Steakhouse franchise donated food and catering for many early Scenic Drive fundraisers.
Celebrating Major Donation, 1997. Scottsdale Mayor “Sam” Campagna and Les Conklin of Friends of the Scenic Drive hold replica of $30,000 check donated by Terravita for new Drive exhibits and entry monuments.
Publicizing Pioneering Website, 1995. Friends of the Scenic Drive volunteers Hannah Nelson and Jane Rau carry a banner in the Cave Creek Wild West Days Parade to promote the Scenic Drive Web site. The site helped with early publicity of the Scenic Drive, Scottsdale’s Scenic Corridors, and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Cookout XII Volunteers, 2008. Judy Conklin, Barbara Copeland, and Donna Palica were among the volunteers that made Cookout at the Ranch XII a success.
“Jurassic Park,” 1995, Courtesy of the Sonoran News. Home owner Herb Grasse superimposed an image of 89kv power lines onto a photo of the desert behind his home to show the visual impact that proposed power lines would have on neighborhoods and the Scenic Drive. Aroused property owners voted to tax themselves to help fund undergrounding the lines and poles.
Beautification Projects, 1995 – 2013. Howard Myers and Kathy Cambal stand near utility boxes that they had just cleaned for painting. Other Scenic Drive projects included painting the posts and backs of traffic signs, painting traffic light standards, and assisting with re-vegetation efforts.
Ed Villa, City of Scottsdale Support, 1995 – 2013. Mayor Herb Drinkwater appointed staffer Ed Villa to assist Friends of the Scenic Drive in enhancing the Scenic Drive and organizing the first Cookout at the Ranch.
Development Battles, 1985 – 2012. Since the annexation of the area into Scottsdale, Scenic Drive advocates have worked to moderate the impact of development along the Scenic Drive. Residents overwhelmingly and successfully opposed proposals for a Home Depot retail center, a motion picture production studio with two hotels and a theme park, and a gas station on residential property.
Keeping Roadsides Clear of Pollution, 1963-2013. For decades, the Cave Creek Improvement Association cleared litter along the Scenic Drive. Friends of the Scenic Drive was one of the first groups to participate in Scottsdale’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Friends also successfully advocated for a reduction in real estate signs and a voluntary ban of political signs, which was successful until 2012.
Read Scenic Drive Heritage Timeline
Related Articles
Scottsdale Scenic Drive Roadside Cleanup Schedule: 2014-2015Â – Published 2/2015
December 2014 Update: Scenic Drive Revegetation Scheduled – Published 12/2014
The Scottsdale Road Enhancement Project: A Brief History – Published 12/2014
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