Historic Celebration & Brunch
Saturday, October 25, 1997
Announcement of New Signs, Exhibits
Mayors of Scottsdale, Carefree and Cave Creek Participated
Saturday, October 25th was the most important day in the history of the Scenic Drive since December 30, 1963. That's when Maricopa County responded to the request of Cave Creek residents and officially established a "Scenic Corridor" with setbacks to preserve natural corridors along the northern portion of Scottsdale Road. The October 25th celebration re-affirmed the Scenic Drive as a centerpiece for our evolving community. Friends of the Scenic Dive, Scottsdale Pride Commission, Rawhide and Outback Steakhouse combined forces to support the morning's activities.
Generous Donation by Del Webb Corporation Accepted
Jaque Pappas of Del Webb Corporation presented Les Conklin of Friends of the Scenic Drive with a check to fund the following major improvements to the Scenic Drive:
- northbound Scenic Drive entry sign
- southbound Scenic Drive entry sign
- 8 roadside Scenic Drive identification signs
- monuments for a visitors exhibit
For more information and drawings of these improvements see Proposed Drive Signs and Desert Walking Area Improvements.
It was also announced that the improvements will be installed by Habitat, Inc., a leading developer of environmental signage. Habitat is based in Tempe and was the company that enhanced the Scenic Drive Monument sign in 1995.
Scottsdale Mayor Kathryn "Sam" Campana participated in the acceptance ceremony and spoke of Scottsdale's support of the Scenic Drive.
Mayors Augherton and Stevens also Celebrate
Hugh Stevens, Mayor of Carefree, and Tom Augherton, Mayor of Cave Creek, and Scottsdale City Council members Mary Manross and Don Prior participated in the ceremony. Corkie Cockburn, a founder of the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive discussed the importance of preserving the Scenic Drive.
Volunteers, Sponsors Acknowledged
The planned improvements are the result of more than 3 years of work by volunteers and sponsors of Friends of the Scenic Drive. Les Conklin, of Friends of the Scenic Drive, acknowledged the important contributions of Friends Dick Mc Intryre, Susan Conway and Jim Bayles for their help in the design of the improvements. Also recognized were major sponsors Mac Donald's Ranch and Outback Steakhouse, Jessie Black and members of Troop 403, members of the City of Scottsdale Planning Department, Ed Villa and members of the Scottsdale Pride Commission and Scottsdale City Manager, Dick Bowers. Les also thanked the Greater Pinnacle Peak Home Owners' Association for their support.
Members of the Press Attend
Representatives of the Arizona Republic, Scottsdale Progress Tribune and Sonoran News covered the event. Visit our 1997 Newspaper Article Archive in our library to read summaries of their articles.
Brunch Followed Ceremony
Outback Steakhouse catered a brunch Drive immediately following the celebration ceremony.
At Scenic Drive Monument Sign
The event was held at the Drive Monument Sign which is located on the east side of Scottsdale Road, 1/4 mile south of Jomax Road.
