43 roads or sections of roads adopted
With spring bringing nice temperatures, Polk County residents may see a lot of people picking up litter in the next several months.
That’s because 43 roads or sections of roads in Polk County have been adopted by individuals or organizations that have pledged to keep them clean (see a full list on page 8).
The Polk County Appearance Commission said it is proud to support the Adopt-a-Highway Program and it appreciates the many individuals and organizations that are a part of the program, as well as the many people who work to clean their neighborhoods without being a part of a program.
“This is ‘pride of place’ in action,” said appearance commission chair Joe Cooper. “If we would just take care of our roadside garbage and litter, our county would be more attractive and inviting to new businesses and visitors.”
The Appearance Commission of Polk County is a group of volunteers working to promote and initiate programs that will beautify the county.
“We all know that we live in a naturally beautiful place,” Cooper said. “The only blights are the ones we have caused ourselves.”
Cooper said the appearance commission’s vision is “Our Foothills Clean and Beautiful.” The organization said it hopes in the future there will be beautifully planted areas throughout the county on clean roadsides, with artful signs welcoming visitors and informing them of the many interesting features in Polk’s rural, yet culturally rich area.
“Our buildings will be appropriately designed and sized with night lighting that is safe and efficient but not obtrusive to others,” Cooper said. “Public areas will be free of litter and clutter and often showcase our local artists.”
The appearance commission has been busy working towards its goals, including sponsoring an annual beautification award for private and public improvements that are visible by the public from roads or sidewalks. The organization has also:
• Supported a local garden club in the landscape planting around the Polk County Tourism Office and the “Doughboy” statue in front of the courthouse
• Proposed beautification improvements to the Womack Building with large planters in the entry and shutters on the windows to match the courthouse
• Organized new landscaping and tree plantings with the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) on the traffic circles and I-26 interchange in Columbus
• Worked to develop kudzu control in the county
• Won a statewide Adopt-a-Highway program award for encouraging new participants
• Wrote specific beautification goals in the county’s 20/20 Vision Plan
• Proposed and secured funding for “Gateway Trees,” a line of trees along Hwy. 108 coming into Columbus, which was completed this week.
To adopt a highway, contact the DOT, which will send information, paperwork and provide training. The DOT number for Polk County’s district is 828-891-7911.
The link to the DOT brochure is http://www.ncdot.org/doh/operations/dp_chief_eng/roadside/beautification/-  download/052406AAHbro chure.pdf.
For more information on the Polk County Appearance Commission visit www.beautifulfoothills.org.

 

Polk Adopt-a-Hwy. sponsorships
Sponsor                         Road
Tryon Kiwanis Club    N.C. 108 at Harmon Field Road to I-26
Bear Creek Lodge       Hwy. 176 – entrance of Pearson’s Falls Rd. to Thompson Rd.
Foothills Humane Soc.    SR1522 from Hwy. 14 to Flying Dutchman Rd.
Caroland Farms    SR1519 from SR 1520 to N.C./S.C. line
Thermal Belt Rotary    SR1102 from end of asphalt to Hwy. 176 Saluda
Pat Doggett    Collinsville Road to Landrum Road
The Oaks B&B    Greenville St. from Main St. to county line
Thermal Belt Rotary    SR1102 from end of asphalt to RR tunnel
BSA & Troop #150    Hwy. 176 from Texaco to Tryon Youth Center
Rotary Club of Tryon    Hwy. 176 from Pacolet River Bridge/Warrior Dr.  west one mile and Hwy. 176 from RRx in Tryon south to S.C. state line.
Manfred & Christel Walter    Hwy. 9 from edge of Mill Spring north to Burt Blackwell Road
Rotary Club of Tryon    Hwy. 176S from RRx at Tryon to S.C. state line
Magnolia Garden Club    Skyuka Rd. from Hwy. 108 to bridge over I-26
Polk Democrats    N.C. 108 from Baptist church to E. Hatch Mill/Peniel Rd. from Hwy. 108 to town line/Peak St. from Hwy. 108 to Walker Rd./Houston Rd.
Finally Farm    Carriage Row
5th Ranger Bn 1944    Skyuka Mountain Road
Polk County Govt.    Hwy. 108E from Fox Mountain Rd. to Hwy. 9
McCutcheon Clan    Holbert Cove Rd. from Piney Mtn. Rd. south 2 miles
Good Shepherd Episcopal    Markham Rd./Jackson St. from SR1506 to dead end
Adawehi Healing Center & Beneficial Foods    Fox Mountain Rd. at Hwy. 108 to Smith Dairy Rd.
Margie A. Howard    Green River Cove Rd. from Silver Creek Baptist east 2 miles
HorseonCourse.com    Hunting Country Rd. from Red Fox Rd. to I-26
Quattlebaum Family    Carolina Dr. and East Park Dr.
White Family, in memory of Bill and Bernice    Green Creek Dr. from Hwy. 9 to Coxe Rd.
Victory Baptist Church    Pea Ridge Road from Hwy. 74 west for 2 miles
Deborah McEntire    McEntire Rd. from Cox Rd. intersection for 2 miles
Blue Moon Farm    Phillips Rd. and South Phillips Rd.
Jdon Farm LLC    Henderson Rd. from Red Fox Rd. to Peniel Rd.
Creen Creek Horse Community    Moore Rd., Medford Rd., Turner Rd. and Sandy Plains Rd.
FENCE    Hunting Country Rd. from E. Prince to Morgan Chapel Rd.
Two Fox Farm    Golden Rd.
Carolina Carriage Club    River Rd. from Red Fox Rd. to Morgan Chapel bridge
Freer Equine Mobile Veterinary Services   Hugh Champion Rd.
Carolina Mule Assoc.    Walker Rd.
Green Creek Fire Dept.    Hwy. 9 from Chesnee Rd. to Landrum Rd.
The Hayloft Farm    S. River and River Rd. from Hooker Rd. to Morgan Chapel Rd.
Saluda Community Land Trust   Hwy. 176 from Dun-Roamin to Thompson Rd.
Family of Fred A. & Mary Ellen Morris    Pea Ridge Rd. from Hwy. 108 to Victory Baptist Church
Tryon Estates/ACTS    Peniel Rd. from town line to Hayes Rd.
Laughter family    Holbert Cove Rd. from Silver Creek Rd. to #8958 Dr.
Reid family    Johnson Rd.
Winterbrook Farm    Collinsville Rd. from Hwy. 14 to Hickory Grove
Inspector Rice Home Inspection   Howard Gap Rd. from Hwy. 108