Contact Coordinators at Adopt.Hwy@cascadeprimetimers.org
Adopt-A-Highway is both a fun group activity and a public service to our community.
Everyone has likely noticed the adopt-a-highway signs on the shoulder of major highways. The groups listed on the signs are responsible for keeping a section of highway litter free.
CPT maintains 2 miles of highway 35 on the east slope of Mt. Hood between Barlow Road trailhead and White River snow park. We organize 2 cleanups a year, typically in June and September, typically on Thursdays. In June we typically find a lot of broken tire chains, in September a lot of beverage containers. If the weather is bad we typically cancel and do not reschedule, doing just one cleanup that year.
ODOT gives us safety vests, pick-up tools so we don't have to bend over, and trash bags. We leave bags at the side of the road for ODOT to pick up. We aim for 12 people, 6 pairs of 2, with each pair cleaning about 1/3 of a mile on both sides, always facing traffic as you work. If more than 12 people volunteer additional people typically clean White River or Barlow Road parking lots, both of which typically need a cleanup.
Cleanup typically takes about 90-120 minutes, after which we have a picnic lunch at the Little Zig Zag Falls trailhead, then take a short hike to the falls. We also swap stories about unusual items found, including dollar bills, working I-Phones, and sex toys.
The signs advertising our club at both ends of our section are good publicity, especially if we keep it clean.