Fair Oaks Ranch has a well-deserved reputation as a community of people who care about their city. No activity better exemplifies that spirit than the Adopt-a-Highway program that maintains a 2-mile stretch of Ralph Fair Rd. (FM 3351) looking, well, Hill Country clean.

Pioneered in the Lone Star State by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) in 1985, Texas’ Adopt-a-Highway idea has served as the benchmark for similar movements in 49 states and several foreign countries. The Fair Oaks Ranch Homeowners’ Association initiated local involvement in AAH in 2002 when it began sponsoring the clean-up of Ralph Fair Rd. from the Cibolo Creek Bridge south to the city limits. 

Volunteers meet every three months on a Saturday morning to pick-up trash. Their most recent pick-up occurred on January 18th, fortunately just between Arctic cold fronts that blasted south central Texas that month. Due to bridge construction, the pick-up was limited to Fair Oaks Parkway going south.

AAH Event Coordinator & FORHA Board member Dedie Manitzas works with the Office Staff arranging numerous details including location assignments, collection teams and transportation. After a light breakfast, the morning of the pick-up includes instructions and a safety talk, and a group photo. Crews then generally spend up to about 2 hours picking up trash. The January 18th effort netted about 20 large bags of garbage as well as the usual number of odds and ends of assorted things (mostly very odd).

For information about Adopt-a-Highway, or other FORHA-sponsored volunteer activities, call the Homeowners’ office at (210) 698-2225.