My favorite local park. The place is a hidden gem among other beautiful places. If you enjoy a more private experience with nature, not entirely private, but a much less crowded environment allowing true decompression, then this is the place for you! Babb Run is a beautiful place.
--1/3/23 Due Diligence Update--
In case it was not abundantly clear, Babb Run is still the most beautiful municipal park and recreation area in the city, and dare I say even the immediate local vicinity. YOUR TIME will NOT be wasted here, there is simply too much to see, do and experience. If you need to breathe, and you can't do so for whatever reason, I personally guarantee you that you will be able to unwind, relax and enjoy nature as the Creator intended, so come get your nature fix, if you need it. We were never meant to be isolated or separated from nature, we just forgot that nature is important (no one ever told us this undeniable, critical fact). So don't forget, nature is important, make time (and space) for nature. Get your rear out to Babb Run, bring the entire family (if you're able), or just you, The park is hardly ever busy, it is for some odd reason a very well kept secret, but the kind of decent folks attracted to this kind of beauty are not the kind of people who'd damage the park or subtract from it's beauty, The more the merrier. This park saved my life, it gave me hope when no human institution or human being(s) would or could. I cannot describe why or how, all I can do is tell you that nature won't hurt you, the hill that leads to the riverside portion of the park is a bit steep, but a pair of reasonable shoes, boots, crocks, what have you, they'll do the trick. If you have lost hope, you may find some here. I did. Have a great 2023, to whomever may read this, you are not alone, it merely feels like it right now. Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing, you can even make small improvements if you know what you're doing, lol, but I'm sure the city probably frowns upon substantial unplanned changes. :-)
--6/22/24 Update--
The park is still in a wonderful state, the driveway is still a bit too rough and bumpy, but just go slow. The main trailhead has an intriguing construction display over the river, a gigantic tunnel project that apparently has something to do with the neverending Gorge dam removal project. The park is still clean and well manicured, I can't come up with any cons, it's still the best municipal park in our area!...
Read moreThe top of the hill, and drive down seems promising. The view and atmosphere is gorgeous. Once you walk down the paved walk way, past the picnic table, and down the hill you get struck with a rancid smell. I believe it is sewage... my family and I literally almost threw up. Many of the falls hiking paths are like this. Very dirty, with a rancid smell. There is one area at the gorge on the side opposite of the waterfall. It's a long path, with a very long set of stairs. Reaching the bottom of the stairs there's another path. If you walk it all the way, near the end there is an overwhelming, horrific...
Read moreIt is a little piece of peaceful beauty in the middle of city.... it is surprising how city quiet it is.... you almost don't hear the cars even just making it to the parking lot... I have physical disabilities that make it difficult to do any hiking much at all so usually I still hear cars a lot and I was so happy that the short distance I can make it is enough hear to be peacefully quiet of technology sounds and sooo very full of nature... Plus there are so many different birds there. I highly recommend giving this park a visit if you...
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