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| - While I've enjoyed the wealth of desert mountain trails with beautiful Sonoran desert vistas here in Phoenix, I'm also glad that I found a nature trail area where trees and other vegetation are in abundance. Of course, in our arid region this could only mean a riparian area (interface between land and a stream).
A lush riparian plant community used to thrive along the Rio Salado (Salt River) until the building of dams and even a dump site changed much of that. But five miles of the Rio Salado just south of downtown Phoenix was set aside by the City of Phoenix for the restoration of the riparian community, and the ongoing success of the project is visible to anyone driving along Central Avenue as it crosses the Rio Salado (see the pics).
You can hike, bike, or jog through the Habitat Restoration Area's trails, which are also wheelchair-accessible. It is a great place for viewing wildlife, including more than 200 bird species that have found the area to be a suitable habitat. Bring your binoculars - it'll make your visit even more enjoyable! Walking tours, nature festivals, and other programs and activities are offered by park rangers, staff, and volunteers.
The area is a work in progress, and there's more to be done. But do come and enjoy this lush oasis ... or rather, riparian area. It's free, and it's a good opportunity to experience the varied wildlife of the Salt River as it once was and is now becoming again.
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