Alana M.
Yelp
This humongous roadrunner is a must see work of art!
It is located at the Scenic Overlook Rest Area, just west of Las Cruces at the rest area between mile markers 134 & 135. You can only access it from the eastbound direction on Interstate 10, but has better visibility from the westbound side if you are driving past it. It's definitely worth a stop here to see the sculpture as well as take in the amazing vista and surrounding mountain range. You can get see Las Cruces and the Organ Mountains from here. This area is also a rest stop with restrooms and picnic shelters with grills. You can also take a little walk on the dirt paths.
This sculpture is 40ft long and 20 ft tall. It is comprised of lots of discarded items that have been recycled into the makeup of this roadrunner. It is composed of lots of old shoes, cell phones, bike parts, wires, old toys, golf clubs, and other recycled materials. It has been a Las Cruces landmark since artist Olin Calk built it in 1993. The recycled roadrunner was erected here in 2001. Due to the harsh weather, it was removed by Calk who took it to his farm and refurbished it beginning in 2012. Then in 2014, it was returned and this rendition is what we see today.
The reason for its' placement at the Las Cruces Foothills Landfill was to accentuate what and how much of our stuff ends up in the landfill. I'm not sure why it was moved from there to here, but it was! I'm sure it is seen by many more people from its' perch here than at the landfill.
The state bird of New Mexico is the Greater Roadrunner. How felicitous it is to have such an enormous roadrunner watching travelers on the busy I-10!!
This particular roadrunner is a rara avis (rare bird)! If you find yourself nearby, you should go take a peek at it up close! What items can you spot?