Nature Journaling 1: Capturing the Beauty Of Jewell Wetlands Park.

September 13, 2025, Alex Nguyen

It only took me approximately five minutes to drive there, which is unusual because I have never heard of this park. There's a park right next to it called Utah Park, a park I would always go to as a little kid. And to mention, my high school is literally a street away. So I question myself: How did I miss this park my whole life?

Jewell Wetlands Park sits right in the middle of Aurora, Colorado. It seems ordinary from the outside because it’s surrounded by  a hospital,  residential apartments and peaceful residential neighborhoods. When i parked my car, i could already see bikers, and people walking their dogs. There's also very beautiful golden crownbread's at the entrance.

A Picture of Golden Crownbeard's at the entrance

The park creates a distinct atmosphere which differs from the outside environment. As i walk around, the noise of cars driving by fades away as the trees revealed themselves to me and at that moment I felt pure amazement. All I could think was wow. It’s surprisingly beautiful, almost like finding a hidden secret tucked right into the city. The cottonwood trees were huge, they were about 70 feet high, and their branches seemed to stretch out like those sticky toy hands you would get from a coin machine. It was a great time of day, where the wind blew into the leaves of the trees, making it sound soothing. It was the most relaxed i've been in a long time. I've gotten scared a couple of times, as there was movement in the bushes. But it just seemed to be small birds searching for food.

really tall cottonwood trees

My favorite part of the walk was the grasshoppers, at first i saw them as annoying little creatures that would jump scare me every time i take a step. But then i saw them as something to enjoy. Whenever i get close they jump straight ahead, as if they were trying to race me. So me and buddy would race the trail for about 4 minutes until he stood still. It put a smile on my face because i knew it was a silly and simple thing, but that's the point. something as simple as walking with nature can put a smile on peoples faces. It made me realize that joy doesn't always have to come from a good grade, passing your drivers test, or winning the lottery. It can be as simple as racing a trail with a grass hopper. Nature is something that everyone can enjoy if they let it.

My Hopping friend

Overall, the 30 minute walk around the park was something i needed. It was like stepping into a bubble, filled with fresh air, birds flying through the sky, grasshoppers moving out the way as i get closer to them, beautiful trees growing as tall as they could, and the beauty of golden flowers. It made me take a step away from doing any school work, driving, babysitting, and anything that stressed me out. It put my mind at ease, realizing that nature is always there, even when i don't pay attention to it. It's easy to become stuck in a pattern and feel like you don't have time to breathe. I learned that anything as easy as listening to leaves blow in the breeze or watching a bird find food may shift my mood totally. It made me thankful that i have a place like this so close to home. It also reminded me that i should spend more time outside, where nature can do what it does best: calm me down and help me put my mind in the right place.