New river beach at West Wetlands Park opens
Playa Linda – or “beautiful beach” is the newest addition to the West Wetlands P ark and made its debut Wednesday.
The new Playa Linda beach is located just west of the APS solar garden and provides a new area to enjoy the Colorado River with your family.
Made possible by grants provided by Arizona Parks and Trails, Arizona Game and Fish, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area and the City of Yuma, Playa Linda has been upgraded from a burning dump to a beautiful beach.
New features to the beach include an ADA accessible ramp, a seating wall, open grass area, a sandy beach, and new trails that connect to the park.
These features make West Wetlands Park a great place for hiking, kayaking, and canoeing for the community to enjoy.
Sue Black, executive director for Arizona state parks and trails said, “Everybody’s really on the right track of what Yumas doing to attract people.”
The City of Yuma encourages families to be safe while using the trails and beaches. Taking a trusted partner, staying hydrated, and being aware of ever-changing currents will ensure you and your family are safe.
Historically, the West Wetlands sits right at the California border in gateway Mexico and has been considered the entry into the state.
The trails along the river have an ancient history of being tribal trails that have been restored for the community.
Tina Clark is the archaeologist and curator for the museums for the city of Yuma and Yuma crossing. “It is a really ancient tribal trail that they used up this corridor, up and down the river,” Clark said.
The creation of this new beach in the Wetlands has been at the hands of many different city and park departments as well as through the heritage area.
The City of Yuma is hoping to bring focus to kids as the next generation to continue improvements such as the beach.
Lowell Perry, the new executive director of Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, is making it his goal to focus his projects on the next generation.
“My call to action…is for anybody in this community that wants to be involved. I encourage you to do so, for that next generation,” Perry said.
