advertisement
14 April 2022
If you’re around Gilbert and need a fun way to spend an afternoon (especially if you have kids), spending some time at the Riparian preserve is the way! And if you’re a resident, you may as well apply for a library card at the Southeast Regional Library and check out a new book!
advertisement
Parking is typically not an issue if you park at the library. There is a parking lot for the reserve itself, but it’s usually packed. The Southeast Regional Library has a big parking lot with a few trees to help shade your car in case it’s a hot day. Next, head down to the Riparian Preserve — it’s reasonably easy to understand where to go. If you’re into fishing, there are designated areas to fish. Also, check out this post about Arizona’s best places to fish.
advertisement
One of the first stops we usually take is to feed the ducks by the bridge. This is the only place authorized to provide the wildlife, so please don’t feed the wildlife once you venture deeper into the preserve. Also, remember to use food that is good for the ducks and not empty calories like bread. We always come with frozen peas to most ducks’ delight (some stick their nose up at it, but that’s their loss).
If you’re lucky, you can also spot the resident turtles. During one trip, we spotted six! They tend to sun themselves on the rock that protrudes up by the bridge.
After making some ducks happy, it’s fun to stroll through the paths of the preserve. If you’re a bird watcher, this place is heaven. So many different species of birds are attracted to the lush oasis in the Arizona desert. There are quite a few different routes woven throughout the preserve, so don’t be afraid to explore and take some new turns.
If you have kids, there’s a fun and unique playground and a place to set up for a BBQ. Birthdays, Weddings, and settings for professional photography, such as senior pictures, happen frequently, so if you’re looking for a good location, this is the place to be!
Arizona has so many diverse and exciting places to get out and play. The Riparian Preserve is undoubtedly one of our favorites!
advertisement
Arizona is already home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country, and now one of its lesser-known natural wonders is getting national recognition. On October 20, 2026, Chiricahua National Monument was officially elevated to national park status. The designation makes Chiricahua Arizona’s fourth national park and the 64th national park in the United States. Located in southeastern Arizona’s Cochise County, near the town of Willcox, Chiricahua National Park is famous for its towering rock columns, gravity-defying balanced boulders, and extraordinary volcanic landscape. Although the area has been federally protected for more than a century, its new designation
Imagine a bird with a wingspan stretching nearly ten feet, soaring effortlessly above the Grand Canyon. It’s one of North America’s largest flying birds, capable of traveling enormous distances on rising currents of warm air. And just a few decades ago, the species nearly disappeared forever. The California condor is one of America’s most remarkable conservation success stories, and despite its name, Arizona has played a major role in bringing this magnificent bird back from the brink of extinction. Through captive breeding, carefully managed releases, wildlife monitoring, and cooperation between conservation organizations, Arizona helped establish a second wild population of
Imagine taking your children to a neighborhood playground on a sunny Arizona afternoon when you notice something moving through the grass nearby. At first, you might think it’s someone’s dog. But as it gets closer, you realize you’re looking at a coyote. Should you be alarmed? Why is a wild animal wandering around a playground in broad daylight? Isn’t it supposed to be hiding somewhere in the desert? Believe it or not, spotting a coyote in an unexpected place is not particularly unusual, especially in Arizona. Coyotes are among North America’s most adaptable wild animals, and they’ve become remarkably successful
Finding a rattlesnake in your yard can be alarming, especially if you have children or pets. But before you reach for a shovel or try to chase the snake away, remember one important thing: the safest rattlesnake encounter is usually the one where you keep your distance. Rattlesnakes are a natural part of life in Arizona, particularly in neighborhoods near washes, mountains, desert preserves, and undeveloped land. While their venom makes them potentially dangerous, rattlesnakes generally aren’t looking for a confrontation with people. Most would much rather escape than fight. If one turns up in your yard, knowing what to
