Jewell Wetlands

Jewell Wetlands Park is a 46-acre urban oasis located in Aurora, Colorado, just east of Utah Park. This conservation area serves as a vital habitat for diverse wildlife and offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience nature within the city limits.

The park features over a mile of trails, including both soft and hard surface paths, allowing visitors to explore the wooded wetland environment. A well-designed boardwalk provides excellent access to the marshland, making it one of the best spots in the area to observe wetland ecosystems up close.

Jewell Wetlands is home to a variety of bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. Visitors may spot Virginia Rails, Soras, Marsh Wrens, and occasionally, with some luck, an American Bittern. The park also serves as a refuge for owls, hawks, and foxes, as well as providing habitat for mature cottonwood groves and cattails.

One of the park's unique features is its butterfly garden, offering visitors a chance to observe these delicate insects in their natural environment. The park also includes a pond, which is a great spot for observing aquatic life, including sunning turtles.

Jewell Wetlands Park plays an important role in urban water management and flood control. Originally constructed as a flood mitigation project, the park now serves multiple purposes, combining ecological preservation with recreational opportunities for the community.