State Park Employees Win Award

Back row left to right: Jack Cox, Glenn Dorough, Norman Shumaker, Kenneth Tickell, Steve Propes, Orion Allen

Front row left to right: Darlene Tickell, Kathy Shumaker, Kayla Williams, Rebecca Allen, Sarah Dorough

ATLANTA STATE PARK EMPLOYEES WIN STATE ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY AWARD

ATLANTA ­– An Adopt-A-Highway group in Cass County has been named 2022’s Group of the Year.

TxDOT recognized the Atlanta State Park Employees group for showing remarkable dedication to the program. “This group has been on a mission since they formed in 2006,” said TxDOT Atlanta District Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator Stephanie Fahrney. The 11-member group adopted the road to their park’s entrance on FM 1154, starting at FM 96. “Members of this group not only put in the work, but they’re also a voice for the Adopt-A-Highway program,” Fahrney said. “Each day, they are visited by many people, young and old. Each time they receive a compliment on their beautiful park, they use that as a stepping stone to share how and why their park is indeed beautiful.” 

The Adopt-A-Highway program began in Texas in 1985 and, since then, has grown into a nationally and internationally recognized litter-prevention effort. The program allows volunteers to adopt stretches of state-maintained roadways to conduct litter pickups. Adopt-A-Highway currently has about 3,400 volunteer groups across Texas.

“This group treats each visitor like family and encourages everyone to participate in the beautification process. They make it easy by ensuring the park has trash cans, barrels, and dumpsters. Their commitment shows others they won’t give up. They will always be there to clean up the mess that others make without hesitation,” Fahrney said.

If you’re interested in volunteering in the Adopt-A-Highway program, contact Stephanie Fahrney at (903) 799-1201.