These sites would be in the river channels. These habitats will be designed to attract native animals back to the area, and to discourage migratory birds who might want to relocate to this area. Papago Park is currently being revegitated with native plants after years of scarring from cactus harvesting, four-wheel driving, horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. Established trails exist for equestrian and pedestrian use and a wheelchair accessible path leads up to the Loma Del Rio archeological site. Papago Park remains the only area in Tempe with significant saguaro and creosote growth.
Water is a precious resource in the desert.
By concentrating water in an urban lake, more people will be able to enjoy the environment it creates. Balancing the preservation of desert plant materials and providing park environments for people to use is critical to Rio Salado. The desire for green public parks will be fulfilled in larger areas conducive to picnicking, playing games and sightseeing. These plants are not native, and therefore, are selected carefully to avoid species that would impact surrounding native landscapes. Some 80 percent of the plant species in Rio Salado are native.