Keep CB Beautiful
Many Americans remember Keep America Beautiful, the national campaign that once urged citizens to take pride in their surroundings and reduce litter. While that federal program has long since faded, its mission lives on today through local Adopt-A-Road initiatives. In Corte Bella, that legacy has been quietly upheld for more than a decade by a small group of dedicated residents whose efforts have made a visible difference. About 15 years ago, Corte Bella residents adopted two heavily traveled roadways: - Deer Valley Drive, from the Fire Station to Deer Valley Access Road and El Mirage Road, from Loop 303 to Wolcott Road. The adoption was registered under the name Northwest Valley Volunteers. If you have ever noticed those roadside signs and wondered who these volunteers are, the answer is simple: they are your neighbors who have consistently donated their time and energy to keep the entrances to our community clean and welcoming. Each spring and fall, when temperatures are mild, volunteers gather at approximately 7:30 a.m. near the front and back gates of Corte Bella. After a brief safety orientation and signing county waivers, they fan out along the road shoulders to collect litter. Maricopa Each cleanup requires about two hours per volunteer. Before Loop 303 opened roughly five years ago, litter volumes were manageable. Volunteers typically collected about 20 bags of trash along El Mirage Road and three bags along Deer Valley Drive. As traffic has increased, so has the debris. In 2025, cleanups yielded more than 60 bags from El Mirage Road and six bags from Deer Valley Drive—numbers echoed again in the fall cleanup.
The Deer Valley Drive adoption expires on December 31, 2025, and will not be renewed. The El Mirage Road adoption expires on December 31, 2026, and is also unlikely to continue under its current structure. Without volunteers, these busy corridors—gateways to Corte Bella—will be left unattended. With traffic increasing each year, the visual impact could be dramatic in a very short time. Compounding the challenge is the absence of a volunteer willing to serve as the program’s point person—the individual who coordinates with the county, reports completed cleanups, and ensures trash bags and supplies are collected. This role requires only a few minutes of communication per year but is essential to keeping the program viable. Looking ahead, there is an opportunity to renew this effort under a clearer identity: Corte Bella residents caring for Corte Bella roads. To make this possible, the community needs: - a volunteer to serve as the county liaison, an organizer to help schedule cleanups and notify residents and continued participation from neighbors willing to give just a few hours each year. To all who have participated—whether once or many times—thank you. Your quiet service has made a lasting difference. Residents interested in helping sustain this program are encouraged to contact General Manager Netta, who can provide additional
information and next steps. Submitted by your neighbor, Lisa Klein
8 Estrella Publishing - CB Living magazine
February 2026
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