Draper Wetland Park photo by Brenton Reyner

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Description:
Draper Wetland Park also known as Mehraban Wetland Park, is a small park in Draper, consisting of two ponds, as well as trails, and good wetland and riparian habitat. The park is surrounded mostly by residential houses and neighborhoods. Fisherman, dog-walkers, and kids going to and from school use the park also. There is a paved trail that goes through most of the park and dirt trails around the ponds. Both ponds are easily birded from the trails around them with the northwest pond having some Russian Olives along parts of its banks.

Birding:
Birding is best during spring and fall migration as well as during winter when there is open water. The northwest pond is usually the best for waterfowl with winter visitors such as HOODED MERGANSERS often hanging out near the Russian Olives along the shoreline, as well as REDHEAD, and RING-NECKED DUCKS being reported here recently. Other water birds such as BLACK-CROWNED-NIGHT-HERON, CACKLING GOOSE, BELTED KINGFISHER, and even MEW GULL have been seen. The large cottonwood trees, Russian Olives, open water, and the park's location make it a good migrant trap with birds such as BLACK PHEOBE, WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE, MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, WESTERN TANAGER, GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE, BREWER'S SPARROW, LAZULI BUNTING, and others all making appearances. Raptors can be seen with AMERICAN KESTRELS, COOPER'S and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS being reported fairly often. Even with some great sightings, Draper Wetland Park is under-birded. If making a trip to Sandy Fishing Pond, the Jordan River, or into the mountains nearby, Draper Wetland Park is worth a visit.

Directions:
From I-15 take the exit for 11400 S and head east for less than 3 miles. Make a right on to 700 E. Shortly after, make a left onto Meadow Wood Drive (11705 S). Head east on this road until the road T's at a stop sign. Make a right and stay on this road until you pass a church on the left side of the road. After the church the road will bend east. On the bend there is a pull of area on the right. There is a sign for the park next to a driveway which leads to the parking lot. The park is also accessible from I-15 by exiting on 11400 S and heading east. Make a right at the light and head south on 1000 E. Continue for about a half mile. Then make a right onto Riparian Drive (there should be sign for the park as well). Continue west on this road until the road starts to bend north. On the bend there should be a pull of area with a sign for the park next to a driveway which leads to the parking lot.