Riparian Next Door

The Mister took a walk and a few pictures of the Riparian Preserve and passed them on to share. I tend to think of it as a haven for birds and those who watch them, but it really offers much more, beginning with a pleasant meandering trail around the water:



It is very accessible, especially from Higley Groves West:




And today's AZ Republic reminds us of the soon to come star-watching abilities:

The stars will seem a bit closer to Gilbert in a matter of weeks, as construction of Gilbert's first observatory is moving along briskly.

Officials at the Riparian Institute hope the $80,000 hilltop building will be finished and open to the public by the end of April, Director Scott Anderson said.

A telescope was ordered about two months ago and should arrive in time for opening day.

"We'll be ready," Anderson said. "People are really going to enjoy what we'll have for them out there."

The observatory is just one part of a larger, $500,000 capital project that calls for a new nature center for classes and nature assemblies.

Hunter Contracting of Gilbert was hired to build the 800-square-foot dome-shell observatory, which broke ground in October 2004 on a hillside east of Water Ranch.

The observatory will have seating along the walls inside and plug-ins for computers. It will have ledges on the exterior to allow other astronomy buffs outside to view stars with their own telescopes.

Anderson said that about one-third of the Riparian's estimated 90,000 annual visitors are wildlife observers. Astronomers make up another large swath of its visitors.

No town money was used for the observatory or its telescope. It was funded solely by donations from Riparian regulars, tourists and organizations. such as the East Valley Astronomy Club. The Gilbert Rotary was the largest supporter, kicking in $20,000 for the observatory.

The Salt River Project had committed $100,000toward the overall capital project. The institute has collected another $100,000 from fund-raisers and donations.

If you aren't a regular visitor already, check it out.