Adopt a Highway: Love, life and litter-free on State Route 87

When Lucinda Ramirez’ husband, Fred, unexpectedly passed away 20 years ago, their family decided to get involved with ADOT’s Adopt a Highway program in his memory. Fred Ramirez had worked 10 years as a highway and bridge inspector for ADOT, and this program provided the perfect opportunity to remember him while keeping the landscape he loved beautiful.

Ramirez worked for ADOT from 1989 to 1999, and during that time frame he was featured twice on the cover of Newsbeat, ADOT’s biweekly employee newsletter. “Years ago,” Ramirez recalled, “he gave a tour of one of his ADOT projects to our oldest son's Cub Scout group.” Ramirez’ son took an interest in engineering and is currently a civil engineer working for the city of Phoenix.

The family has maintained State Route 87, aka Beeline Highway, between mileposts 192-193 for two decades. Ramirez said, “We get many appreciative honks from passing motorists and thanks from cyclists passing by as we do the pickup. We have come across some unusual discards during our cleanups, including hot water heaters and Christmas trees. A huge pile of shrimp tails probably wins, as it was also incredibly smelly.” 

The family gets out twice a year for their cleanups and recently filled 10 large trash bags with unfortunate finds while on site. Participants number anywhere between 10-20 or more, and it is not unusual for family to travel from Tucson or as far away as the East Coast to join the fun. After the pickup is complete, they take a group photo and head home for a big breakfast. Someone is designated to stay back at the house to watch the kids and put casseroles in the oven. 

Ramirez told me that years ago a friend had provided the volunteers with tie-dyed shirts to look colorful during highway cleanups. Two of the volunteers moved to Tennessee and now don their tie-dyed shirts while picking up trash on a public hiking trail and finishing with their own photo. Ramirez said, “When our family looks back on our trash pickup gatherings, they are equal in status to the memories of holiday and birthday celebrations. Many of the people that join us on the pickups never knew Fred. They come to support our family and to have fun.”

A few years ago, Ramirez, a fourth grade teacher, was returning from a field trip with her class by way of SR 87. “Before reaching our mile, I told them to keep an eye out for our family’s sign. When we passed the sign, the bus driver honked the horn and all the students cheered. They asked questions and wanted to know how to get involved. We talked about things they could do now to help their community –they were too young then to pick up on the highway. I hope it planted a seed and that they will think twice before littering,” Ramirez said.

In closing, the Ramirez family is very grateful for the opportunity to serve the community and remember a man that dearly loved the Arizona landscape. If you are traveling northbound on SR 87 toward Payson watch for Fred’s sign at milepost 192, “In loving memory of Fred Ramirez.”

ADOT thanks Lucinda Ramirez for sharing her story and some fantastic photos we’ve shared in the included flickr album. Congratulations to the Ramirez family for 20 years of Adopt a Highway Volunteer service and many happy memories! 

Ramirez also joined us during a recent Earth Day and Arizona Volunteer Week Cleanup event at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Click here for information about the Adopt a Highway Volunteer Program. A great place to start your own family tradition.