After getting coffee and an apple fritter at Krispy Kreme, we continued north on I-10. Upon seeing a sign for Gilbert, I asked Patty to Google the riparian area in Gilbert. She did, I pulled off I-10 and set a course for the Gilbert Water Park. It was a great surprise.
Because wells were pumping the aquifer dry, the city of Gilbert has created this system of seven ponds which are used on a rotating basis. Treated water is pumped into the system and allowed to seep through the ground into the aquifer. No pond is allowed to stay full, but rather on a rotating basis are filled. Once a pond drains, they then plow up the ground and then fill it again. I am not giving anyone the finger, I was just careless in taking this photo of one of the signs that explain the system.
Here is where the treated water comes in and is routed to the correct pond.
Water in the desert is life. So around each of the ponds are trees and plants, and the water draws all manner of birds.
In addition to the seven ponds, there is also a lake which is not drained - it is stocked with fish (and yes, people can catch the fish) and while feeding the birds is prohibited at the ponds, it is allowed at the lake.
There is also an astronomical observatory, open every Friday and Saturday evening, with regularly scheduled events to learn about the night sky.
Patty and Helen enjoyed seeing the waterfowl on the lake, and the kids that were feeding them.
The park also has some beautiful Santa Rita prickly pear cacti and saguaro cacti in the entrance garden.
When I later asked my friends Anne, Jane and Meg, all who have lived full time in Phoenix for years, none of them had ever heard of it. Another moment of serendipity that led to a great afternoon of exploration and experience for walking the trails around the ponds and lake.
Because wells were pumping the aquifer dry, the city of Gilbert has created this system of seven ponds which are used on a rotating basis. Treated water is pumped into the system and allowed to seep through the ground into the aquifer. No pond is allowed to stay full, but rather on a rotating basis are filled. Once a pond drains, they then plow up the ground and then fill it again. I am not giving anyone the finger, I was just careless in taking this photo of one of the signs that explain the system.
Here is where the treated water comes in and is routed to the correct pond.
Water in the desert is life. So around each of the ponds are trees and plants, and the water draws all manner of birds.
In addition to the seven ponds, there is also a lake which is not drained - it is stocked with fish (and yes, people can catch the fish) and while feeding the birds is prohibited at the ponds, it is allowed at the lake.
There is also an astronomical observatory, open every Friday and Saturday evening, with regularly scheduled events to learn about the night sky.
Patty and Helen enjoyed seeing the waterfowl on the lake, and the kids that were feeding them.
The park also has some beautiful Santa Rita prickly pear cacti and saguaro cacti in the entrance garden.
When I later asked my friends Anne, Jane and Meg, all who have lived full time in Phoenix for years, none of them had ever heard of it. Another moment of serendipity that led to a great afternoon of exploration and experience for walking the trails around the ponds and lake.
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