of the facility allows the city to put reclaimed water back into the ground for later use. The facility provides a supply of treated wastewater for distribution to the recharge basins in the east area of the park. The basins in turn are used to develop riparian and wetland habitats for educational purposes and to attract wildlife. There are 32 acres of recharge area divided into five basins within the park.
Where: 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, AZ Hours: 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily. Environmental
Education Center hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays (8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays in June, July and August).
Admission: Free. Details: 480-782-2890
www.chandleraz.gov/explore.
Not too far away in Gilbert is the Riparian Preserve . Riparian is the word to describe the habitat formed where a body of fresh water meets the land, such as the banks of a river, stream, or lake. While water is scarce in the desert, Arizona is home to many diverse riparian habitats. The Preserve is organized into various vegetative zones ranging from marshlands to native riparian and upland vegetation areas that represent
Black-necked Stilt, credit Dee Whited
You might think with its small size, there isn’t much to see and do, but you’d be wrong. Each time we went exploring we saw something new. According to the National Audubon Society, more than 135 species of birds have been identified at the park. Visitors can see American coots, black-necked stilts, double-crested cormorants, burrowing owls, and roadrunners. Veterans Oasis Park also is a way station for migrating monarch butterflies attracted by the milkweed that grows there. And the park is home to jackrabbits, coyotes, snakes, and other animals. Park-goers can enjoy seasonal events, and monthly bird walks throughout the park or visit the Chandler Nature Center to view nature displays. Drop your line into this quiet 5-acre lake; it packs a big bite when it comes to fishing for feisty catfish. You’ll enjoy a high-quality angling experience and expect to catch rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish, and/or largemouth bass. Nestled in southeast Chandler, 78 acres of the park are designed for groundwater recharge and wetlands, making it the perfect home to an abundance of unique Sonoran Desert flora and wildlife. The recharge part
The Saguaro Cactus can grow to more than 40 feet tall, credit Dee Whited
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