Blue Marble’s Picks
At Blue Marble Landscape our world is defined, daily, by turf and trees. We love nature and take pride in contributing to the aesthetic appeal of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. There is a vast number of beautiful outdoor areas to visit in the valley. Here are the top five that made our list:
1 – Desert Botanical Gardens
With more than 140 acres, and displaying more than 50,000 plants, the Desert Botanical Gardens is dedicated to protecting and preserving the desert’s natural beauty. DBG has been teaching and inspiring visitors for more than 70 years! It was back in the 1930s that a Swedish botanist saw the need to preserve our beautiful desert environment. He gathered like-minded residents by posting a sign “Save the Desert” with an arrow that pointed to his home. This is a must-see garden located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. And, they are open daily!
2 – Japanese Friendship Garden
This garden brings an essence of Japan to the desert. The garden, which is named RoHoEn (Ro= Heron Ho = Phoenix bird, En = Garden) is an authentic 3.5 acre Japanese strolling garden. It also features a tea garden and a tea house. Located in central Phoenix, the garden is closed from June through September.
3 – Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Located on Hwy 60, as you make your way toward Globe, Boyce Thompson Arboretum brings together plants from the Earths’ many varied deserts and dry lands and displays them alongside unspoiled examples of the native Sonoran Desert vegetation.
Not only will you see all varieties of plants but more than 230 birds and 72 terrestrial species have been tallied over the years as both permanent and migratory Arboretum resident. This is a state park and is open all year.
4 – Steele Indian School Park
Steele Indian School Park is a huge recreation area located in Central Phoenix. There are picnic areas, a dog park, fishing, flowers and desert blooms, and lots of water features. Nestled in this park is the Christine Ten Eyck-designed entry garden. This spiraling walking path is located on the south end of the park. It is marked with Native American poems and gradually descends a half-mile into the earth where it ends at a round water feature. Definitely a must-see!
5 – Riparian Preserve
The Riparian Preserve was developed in 1999. It was created after the Town Of Gilbert made a commitment to reuse 100% of its affluent water in 1986 and wanted to create innovative and unique ways to combine water resource development with wildlife habitat, educational and recreational opportunities. There are 110 acres and approximately 298 species of birds have been identified on site. Over 4.5 miles of trails weave through this park and there are interpretive education panels throughout. All sidewalks are open from 5:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.