Keep Scottsdale Beautiful

Keep Scottsdale Beautiful (KSB) and Scottsdale Public Art collaborated on a beautification project, Cholla Reflections, at the northern intersection of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Greenway-Hayden Loop (north Hayden Road). The goal was to turn a destitute-looking area of Scottsdale into a point-of-pride for our community.

The site is visible to over 20 million vehicles that navigate these roads each year. Pilots and passengers of the 165,000+ planes that fly into the Scottsdale airport have a view of the location as they travel in and out of Scottsdale. The intersection also serves as one of the entry points for the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which attracts more than 600,000 attendees.

Project Artist Team

The project paired public artists, Patrick Renner & Kelly O’Brien of Flying Carpet Creative Studio out of Houston, with a local team of university students Jessica Arnold (NAU Interior Design), Rigoberto Berber-Arias and Alan Estrada Sanchez (both ASU School of Architecture). All were selected through a public competition.

The students stretched their knowledge and skills as they explored design elements that can sustain ingress/egress by heavy construction vehicles, serve as pedestrian walkways, enhance the look of right-of-way strips and canal berms, and embellish a water facility. Our project team emphasized sustainability, environmental protection, and durability while researching repurposed and/or recycled materials.

Flying Carpet Creative produced public art for the site and collaborated with the Student Team who designed elements for the adjacent areas that intertwine with the theme, materials, shapes, and colors of the art, creating a cohesive look for the intersection. All funds raised by KSB supported the student portion of this project. The project will positively impact Scottsdale residents and visitors for generations to come.

Project Goal and History

For almost three years, KSB worked behind the scenes to bring on the partners needed to ensure the project’s approval and success. KSB is proud of the collaboration that occurred with The Bureau of Reclamation, Central Arizona Project, City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Public Art, and the Arizona Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects. All brought an expertise that benefited the students and artists as they interacted with them throughout the design and implantation phases.

Our goal of this project was to have a strong educational component that incorporated public art and promote a Keep Scottsdale Beautiful pillar – Beautify Public Places. We believe the project will have a significant impact on Scottsdale residents and visitors for generations to come.