West Wetlands Park

From Landfill to Lush Oasis: The Park's Story

Nestled along the Colorado River at the northwest edge of Yuma, West Wetlands Park spans 110 acres of revitalized land. This beautiful space was once a city landfill that operated for six decades until 1970. In December 2002, the area was transformed and opened to the public, becoming one of Yuma's most popular green spaces.

Exploring the Layout

The park is thoughtfully designed with two distinct sections. The upper area houses the practical stuff - roads, a fishing pond, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and lighted paths for evening strolls. Meanwhile, the lower section focuses on nature, with 30 acres dedicated to restoring native trees and grasses along the riverbank. You can wander through miles of well-kept trails that showcase the park's unique riparian ecosystem - a refreshing escape from Yuma's desert landscape.

Serene lake view with ducks gliding across the waters

Photo: Emma Forsberg (CC BY 2.0)

A Playground That Sparks Imagination

One of the park's true gems is the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground, but locals simply call it "Castle Park" - and once you see it, you'll understand why. This expansive play area features everything kids love: swings, slides, and climbing structures, including an adaptive swing for children with disabilities.

The playground stands out with its Pebble Flex surface, a soft material that cushions falls while allowing wheelchairs to navigate easily. Parents will appreciate the single entrance/exit design for keeping track of little explorers, and the castle-themed elements that resemble a miniature fantasy western village will capture any child's imagination. There's even a separate area designed specifically for toddlers with age-appropriate equipment, all within a fenced perimeter for added peace of mind.

Natural Beauty and Wildlife

Nature enthusiasts shouldn't miss the Ed Pastor Hummingbird Garden, named after former Congressman Ed Pastor, who supported riverfront restoration in the area. The garden features plants specifically selected to attract four hummingbird species found in the area - Anna's, black-chinned, Costa's, and rufous - and interpretive signage includes migration maps and plant information. Just west of it, a Butterfly Garden filled with yellow and orange flowering bushes draws monarchs, giant swallowtails, queen butterflies, and painted ladies.

One of the more unusual wildlife attractions is the dedicated Burrowing Owl Habitat, which features 20 artificial burrows constructed from PVC pipe and set among sage bushes. A public viewing platform lets you observe the owls directly, with interpretive signs guiding the way from both ends of the habitat. The western burrowing owl is active during the day and spends most of its life underground, which makes sightings here more reliable than you'd typically expect with an owl species.

Water features abound at West Wetlands. There's a boat ramp for launching onto the Colorado River and Centennial Beach for those hot Yuma days when only a swim will do. The 15-foot deep fishing pond is regularly stocked by the Arizona Game & Fish Department, offering chances to catch catfish, bluegill, and bass. Even if fishing isn't your thing, the pond attracts ducks, geese, egrets, and turtles, making it an excellent spot for wildlife watching.

Playground equipment under a protective shade canopy

Photo: Emma Forsberg (CC BY 2.0)

Monuments and Points of Interest

Standing nine feet tall near the riverbank is the Army of the West statue, a bronze work by sculptor R.C. Merrill erected in 2006. The statue commemorates the Mormon Battalion's 1,900-mile overland march from Council Bluffs, Iowa to San Diego, California - one of the longest infantry marches in U.S. military history - and marks the spot where the battalion crossed the Colorado River in January 1846.

Another point of interest is the park's Solar Demonstration Garden, a partnership between Arizona Public Service and the City of Yuma. It features 24 sun-tracking photovoltaic panels that rotate throughout the day and generate enough electricity to supply roughly 20 homes, feeding directly into the city grid. Output data is displayed at a nearby ramada, so you can see the system in action as you pass through.

Amenities for Everyone

Planning a gathering? The park offers numerous covered picnic ramadas complete with tables and BBQ grills - some even include power outlets for convenience. You can reserve these for special occasions or simply claim one on a first-come basis for an impromptu afternoon cookout.

Active visitors might enjoy a round on the disc golf course or exploring the extensive walking trails that wind along the Colorado River, offering scenic views and quiet moments to observe native plants and wildlife. There are clean restrooms available within the park, though worth noting they're a bit of a walk from the playground area - something to keep in mind if you're visiting with young children.

A Community Gathering Place

Beyond day-to-day recreation, West Wetlands regularly hosts walkathons, marathons, festivals, and outdoor movie nights. Recurring events include the Colorado River Balloon Festival and the Two Rivers Renaissance Fair, which draw crowds from across the region each year.

The restored wetland areas have created an ecosystem that's particularly appealing to birdwatchers. On any given day, you might spot great egrets wading in shallow waters or hummingbirds darting between flowers.