Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch

I love this park. I go there often to walk around and it’s beautiful. They have a little pond where people can fish out and an area where kids can run around and play. I love the trail and seeing all the wildlife. Last time I went I probably saw around 50 bunnies, they’re everywhere.

I found this preserve very disappointing. Just following signage is difficult. Parking is woefully lacking. The is no main info place except a small map on a billboard on the nearby library. We planned on biking as was advertised. The only bike path we found was along the boring canal lanes that are found everywhere in the Mesa area. Wildlife was ducks being fed unhealthy white bread by visitors. Most wildlife reserves provide the proper food for a small fee. This may be more interesting if your in a pre planned group and a guide. However to just drop by, it’s just a concrete walk along a pond with ducks in it. The trails that go into environment with educational signs are few and far between. They seem outdated as the plants that are pictured there are long gone and have no resemblance to what you are seeing. Wasted afternoon. Only good thing, it was free.

Had the pleasure to once again walk the Riparian decorated for Christmas. LOVED all the lights and scenes. Two years ago we attended when they had carollers strolling through — it was so much fun. For the most part people were well behaved — saw a few parents allow their kids to climb things (always one or two to ruin it) but thankfully they were few in number. We might not have snow here in these parts of AZ but with free (donate a canned/​box item) fun events like this it makes the holidays more jolly!

Just recently saw a friend get engaged here. It’s a beautiful scenery to walk around and take in the beauty. Parking is tough, but there is plenty at the library next door. You can access the park from the library as well.

So fun to go there with your Kids and try to find all these different animals living in the nature. They have signs with a picture that describes the animals they have walking, flying or swimming around.

This is a very unique, yet excellent example of a «yuppie nature» park. If you’ve read my other reviews, «yuppie nature» parks are those where there are manicured and groomed «wildlife» areas that feature broad, smooth, largely flat trails that can easily be traversed by the elderly, children, or just about any would be «hiker» that wants to go for an adventure. All of the plants and animals are maintained by park rangers who eliminate anything that does not fit with the motif of the park.
Don’t get me wrong, these places are usually extremely cool and beautiful. The Riparian Preserve in Gilbert is no exception. It has many excellent examples of local desert flora and fauna, as well as several man-​made ponds designed to attract migrating waterfowl and other more permanent resident birds.
There is a drought right now, so most of the ponds are dried out, but there are still a few out there which have many different interesting species of birds, including wood ducks, regular mallard ducks, white herons, hummingbirds, and other creatures which can be identified by the signs that are posted all around the different ponds. There are also many helpful signs in front of different trees, bushes, and flowers so you know what you are looking at.
There are also play areas for children, including a few «dinosaur footprint» areas where little kids can have a great time discovering real dinosaur footprints in the cement. There is also a small planetarium where you can view things at night, and learn about planets during the day. The local library is also a beautiful and fairly new structure with many excellent offerings for anyone with the time to investigate.
If you are in the area and looking for something unique to do outdoors and the weather is right, be sure to visit this place. It is really special and worth your time.

I definitely love this park, there’s so much to offer, I remember coming here since high school on Friday nights when they would let us look into the telescope and talk to us about certain planets that we could see. Although I’m not too sure if they still offer that during Friday nights.
One of my favorite things was to also walk up the little hill at night, up to the gazebo and watch the stars and the moon during fall, the only downside is there are a crap load of mosquitoes and cockroaches at night lol. And now since I have met my boyfriend we definitely take advantage of the lake area since we both fish. Last year you were allowed to take 4 Trout home but they changed it this year to 2, as well as changed the regulations to barbless hooks as well, which is a bummer but I understand why.
But if you aren’t into astronomy or fishing or stargazing you can definitely hike around the area and just admire all the wildlife, along with taking pictures near the little stream and lake area.

Gorgeous area! I am a Seattle native so it was enjoyable for me to walk around and see the variety of plant and wildlife. Library close by too, this place has everything!

This is one of my favorite «oasis in the desert spots» I’ve ever found: AZ, NV, CA, NM included. Adjacent to the library — which has large windows to observe the lake, plants, people, horses, and other furry creatures which populate the area — I fall in love every time we come.
My FIL loves fishing and enjoys it here, you need a license; our wiener dog loves the trails and seeing the other furbabies (on leashes) and the occasional equestrian trotting by. Plenty of open space to get outside and enjoy this unique space. I was bit quite aggressively by Mosquitos and no-​see-​ums during our first visit, bug repellant is a good choice.
By far, my favorite thing to do is pack a picnic for Friday or Saturday night, and then go up the the super observatory and gaze at the heavens! Quite the Astronomy geek, I was thrilled to find this weekly chance to witness the ever changing Galaxy. This combined with books and nature = my paradise!
It is a place we have and will return again and again, so very happy to have it nearby my new home.

With my mother in law in town, we wanted to take her to do a little nature sight seeing. This place is truly a hidden gem! It’s a nice escape from the city, with little creeks and lots of water and beautiful plants. We got to get some fresh air, and see so much wildlife. We are looking forward to going again, preferably on a evening next time!

This is the most beautiful preserve I have been to in the valley! It is so peaceful, it’s truly a hidden paradise.

Always a relaxing time on these walkways. A lot of friendly people and animals, nice place to go when you need a touch of nature. Plentiful with fish and wildlife! Plus the library is right there if you feel you need a good read after a walk. Or during your walk, who knows.
Yes you can fish here. Make sure to buy your urban fishing license!

It’s hard to find such wondrous greenery in arizona… but this is it! The paths are great to explore as well as educate. This is a great place to teach anyone about the importance of wildlife. There are kids areas as well as bathrooms. Great place for a picnic and you can even gaze at the stars at night. Definitely worth it and exploring this place is absolutely free.

Drove by here a couple times, thought it just a little park. What a pleasant surprise when I decided to stop!
Spent a few hours here today enjoying nature. This place is big, nice trails.
An Oasis in the desert.

Hidden gem of Gilbert, nice little walking trails and wildlife everywhere.
Love this place, can’t wait to come back and bring the dog!!!

What a beautiful park. I never knew this place is right behind the Greenfield Library. Lovely place to run/​walk or spend time with family.
When I went for our photoshoot (my boyfriend and I), there were several people doing photoshoots from little toddlers doing (kissing booths: 10 cents each) to wedding pictures. There are even area, like the swamp areas, where there are animals to see.
I would definitely come back again!
One more thing: Parking is very limited so sometimes people would park in the library’s parking lot.

Unexpectedly stumbled upon the Riparian Preserve while driving around Gilbert, and just so happens I had my lil fleabag Miley with me, so thought we’d stop by & check it out. As we followed the paths, we passed a bee garden, a hummingbird garden, as well as a butterfly garden. We enjoyed the shaded bench areas where you can rest & admire the stream, the views of the water. Very relaxing and perfect for a walk, or jog, or family time. Was not super crowded, plenty of room to walk around and explore. I even found a couple turtles laying around. Going to come back to check the observatory, and to do a little fishing.
Tip –please pickup after your pets

This place is an oasis in the desert! If you want a nice natural park to visit in Mesa this is the place for you. The landscape is incredible with special attention to maintain a natural to the Salt River valley feel. This place is bursting with wildlife and native plants.
Bring your friends and family since there is plenty of park space to do a picnic or BBQ. You could also come here for photography and light hiking with the nice trails. Not all trails are paved though so be sure to have your jogger stroller with the little ones and good shoes on your feet.
This has become a local favorite if my family and we come here all the time now. The best part is that every time you visit will be a little different with the wildlife you see depending on the time of year.

Lovely. Just lovely. We went about a week ago and had a nice walk/​jog at the end of a very stressful day. Just what I needed. I want to go buy one of those horse properties across the street and have my own little retreat. Do you think they’d take a check??? Anyway, I couldn’t believe the variety of birds and other critters like rabbits, and even a rather large mouse that we saw.
There are plenty of trash cans and bags for people to pick up after their dog, even though some don’t. I self-​actualize all over the place when I pick up somebody else’s dog bombs and throw them away.
The library is a very nice building too and made me want to check that out in more detail on a future trip. Beautiful trails with plenty of shade draping over them, and little creeks running by shady areas perfect for sitting and reading or just taking a nap. This park is a great getaway from the city, in the middle of Gilbert.

This is hands down my favorite place to walk my dogs in the entire Valley! Many different dirt paths meander and intertwine to give a multi-​mile walking path through dense vegetation and various lakes/​ponds. Sometimes, mid-​walk you just might forget you’re surrounded by traffic and urban sprawl – it really is that beautiful and peaceful!
The Riparian Preserve is home to a bird sanctuary where ducks, geese, herons, and song birds nest and feed. They also have an observatory that’s open Friday and Saturday nights, BBQ’s where you can grill, picnic benches to eat at, and a lake where you can fish. It’s a great place to walk, run, ride horses or bikes, or take your annual family Christmas photo – which half of Gilbert does every Fall.
My only complaints are that some thoughtless individuals fail to clean up their trash (not sure if their mothers never taught them to pick up after themselves or they think a magic fairy follows them around for the sole purpose of disposing of their junk) or worse yet, their used fishing lines – this one’s the bad one though – I’ve actually seen poor ducks who have mistakenly swallowed fishing hooks swim around helplessly until they die – true story. Really sad stuff. Other frequent visitors have said their dogs have stepped on used fishing hooks and hurt their paws – so just watch out for that if you’re walking by the fishing lake with animals or small children. And if you’re fishing, PLEASE take that one extra minute to dispose of your junk!
Also, some other losers decided the Riparian Preserve would be a good place to dump their unwanted house cats – which over time has led to a burgeoning feral cat population, which preys on the nesting baby birds (as told to me by one of the park rangers); you may see some of these furry predators as you walk around. So please, if you’re considering giving your poor house cat the boot, find a friend or animal shelter instead of setting them loose here. Alright, I’m done ranting.