Adopt-A-Roadway

Robert Thoresen

Heading south on Old Nogales Highway, approximately opposite the gravel quarry, there is a looming green sign identifying one of three adopt-a-roadway segments that Quail Creek residents assist in keeping clean of tossed cultural artifacts. The second roadway is the segment of Quail Crossing Boulevard from the south gate to Campbell Road, which is sponsored by 13 hardy souls residing on North Tamarack Court (Unit 11). The third segment, Campbell Road from Quail Crossing Boulevard (Green Valley Fire Station) to the Campbell Road turnabout is an exclusive for Edward and Linda Mueller (Unit 16), and comes with the treasured announcement “Ed, Love forever and a day! Linda.” Whew, what passion!

Former Quail Creek resident Wendell Jelm originally approached Sahuarita Township in July 2002 to have Quail Creek honored as the township’s first sponsor for a two-mile continuous segment of Old Nogales Highway. The segment was reduced to one mile while under the coordination of former resident Jim Gregory. More recently this duty was directed briefly by Chuck Stenstud, and for the past two plus years by Robert Thoresen. The Tamarack Court residents took up their adoption heroics in 2009. The Muellers conveyed their passion in 2008.

Sahuarita Township’s roadway adoption program is supported by thirty-four volunteer groups administered by Public Works Department Engineer John Garcia. John keeps very detailed records of the township’s roadway adoption program. In 13 years, all township volunteer groups have picked up 5,686 bags of trash. Since 2002, along Old Nogales Highway, Quail Creek residents have collected 509 30-gallon bags of trash in 39 collections (13 bags per collection over time, closer to 20 most recently), averaging only 7.5 resident volunteers each time and taking an average group time of 3.5 hours. Old Nogales Highway is the township’s most trashed roadway. A small dedicated group of Quail Creek residents take the time to make all the residents look good!

Table No.1: Quail Creek’s Percentage of Township Highway Pick-Ups

Last three years 2015 Since 2002

All three segments 11% 12% 11%

Old Nogales Highway 9% 10% 9%

Table No. 2: Quail Creek Milestones in Highway Pick-Ups

Milestone Old Nogales Campbell/Quail Crossing

Highway Boulevard

Lowest Annual Pick-Up (2006, 2007) 21 bags (2012) 10 bags

Highest Annual Pick-Up (2005) 60 bags (2010) 14 bags

Average Last Three Years 49 bags 11 bags

2015 through October 42 bags 8 bags

Quail Creekers who volunteer for the Old Nogales Highway cleanup should wear hiking boots, jeans and headwear; also bring a container of water. The township provides each volunteer with reflective vests, mechanical pickers, a pair of leather gloves and as many plastic bags as desired. Highway signage warnings are also provided. The next cleanup will be sometime during the last full week of January 2016. Look for announcement postings in What’s Happening.