Scenic Drive Enhancements and Memory Park Project

          Friends of the Scenic Drive is working with the City of Scottsdale on enhancements to the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. In 2000, Scottsdale voters approved $31.5 million to beautify and enhance Scottsdale Road. Approximately $7 million will be spent enhancing the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, the northernmost section of Scottsdale Road. The photographs and articles below provide information about the on-going effort by Friends of the Scenic Drive to support implementation of the project with emphasis on on its effort to create a Scenic Drive Memory Park..

 

Scottsdale Road Streetscape Design Guidelines were developed by a consulting firm for the City of Scottsdale. The guidelines identify design objectives and features to be used to beautify and enhance the length of Scottsdale Road.  Friends of the Scenic Drive is adding to the exhibits at the Scenic Drive exhibit area and is designing a Scenic Drive Memory Park that will tell the story of the history of the Desert Foothills. The back of the existing Scenic Drive monument sign will be used as the park's introductory exhibit. Illustration by Horst Berkner. New Memory Park exhibits will be added to existing exhibits near the Scenic Drive monument sign. The new exhibits will provide information about Desert Foothills historic events, places, people, and preservation efforts. Illustration by Marg Nelssen. Existing exhibits provide information about the Scenic Drive and flora and fauna found in the Desert Foothills.
 

Title

Description

Author, Source, Date
Memory Parks Would Enhance City's Prestige Proposes that a series of parks capturing city's history be created along Scottsdale Road as part of the Scottsdale 2000 Bond Program. Les Conklin, Scottsdale Republic, October 4, 2007
Bond 2000 Overview Power Point Presentation Provides introductory information on the Bond 2000 Program, focusing on the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive section of the project.

In February, 2008 Friends organized a meeting of interested residents and members of Scottsdale's planning and transportation discussed the project. The beginning of this presentation is a few slides from the city's presentation. The second part of the presentation, outlines Friends recommendations for enhancements.

Tim Conner, City of Scottsdale

Les Conklin, Friends of the Scenic Drive, February 2008
Scenic Drive Enhancements Provides background information about the Scottsdale 2000 Bond Program to enhance Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale's signature roadway and includes recommendations for enhancement of Desert Foothills Scenic Drive. Les Conklin, A Peek at the Peak, March 2008
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Describes the activities of Friends of the Scenic Drive related to, the implementation of the Scottsdale 2000 Bond Program and includes a concise list of recommended improvements. Judith Wagman, A Peek at the Peak, April 2008, courtesy of COPP News
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Memory Park, Part I Friends of the Scenic Drive has initiated a project to create a Scenic Drive Memory Park. This article provides an overview of the park and information about the park's Theme Exhibit. Friends of the Scenic Drive, A Peek at the Peak, May/June 2008
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Memory Park, Part II. Time and Events Exhibit The Scenic Drive Memory Park being developed by Friends of the Scenic Drive will contain a Time and Events Exhibit, which is described by this article. Friends of the Scenic Drive, A Peek at the Peak, July/August 2008
Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Memory Park, Part III. People and Places Exhibit The Scenic Drive Memory Park being developed by Friends of the Scenic Drive will contain a People and Places Exhibit, which will be described by this article. Friends of the Scenic Drive, August 2008. An abbreviated version of this article appeared in the September/October issue of A Peek at the Peak.
Remembering Desert Foothills Scenic Drive Preservation, Scenic Drive Memory Park Exhibit (Scheduled for publication) The Scenic Drive Memory Park being developed by Friends of the Scenic Drive will include a Preservation Exhibit that will recognize and identify the organizations and measures related to local preservation efforts. Friends of the Scenic Drive, A Peek at the Peak, November 2008 ,