I walk here sometimes when I need to keep it simple. The park itself is nice, with a restoom,…read moreplayground, benches, and tasty ice cream shop across the street. The sidewalk circles the park so it's not the place to go if you want to be secluded or take in views during your stroll. I was with my walking club one evening and we definitely appreciated all the streetlamps as well.

Middle of the day on a Friday and there aren't many people here. A few people with kids and a few…read moreout walking/running. This park is pretty nice though, I would anticipate that the weekend they could be pretty packed! Play equipment for kids, pool (great slides), disk golf, ball fields, etc. The place is well manicured (grass/plants) and it looks like they take great pride in this location. I would recommend this place to anyone!

This is a nice park that has a lot to offer. It was opened in 2000 and has a neighborhood park feel…read moreto it. I also get a little nature vibe as well. They have two full tennis courts that are decent and a half basketball court that is off to the side of the tennis courts and shares the same fenced in area. There is ample parking here at the park, but I can see how during large events that parking could become scarce. They have two lots; one is located by the tennis courts and other is shared with the Jewish Chabad Center next door. The main section of the park is completely fenced in and has a small picnic shelter with tables under it, a decent paved 2/10 of a mile walking trail, a restroom facility, benches, and a couple of picnic tables. There is a bunch of shade in this area and green space in the center where you could hold a picnic, play catch or relax on. You will also see a borrow a book box and a story trail in the are as well The are also has a playground area that is on a bed of wood chips and has traditional swings, toddler swings, tire swings, a medium sized jungle gym with a slide, A fire truck themed jungle gym with a couple of slides, a merry-go-round, and a jungle gym with monkey bars and rock climbing. The equipment is in decent shape and looked like kids would have a lot of fun here. Because the area is fenced in, it is popular for those with dogs. Even though they have many signs posted to tell you to keep your dogs on a leash, I saw a few people that did not while I was there. This is a very nice park that has a lot to offer. I love the shade that it has. Even though it is located off of a busy road, I still found it peaceful. This place is a diamond in the rough and you should really consider coming here if you are looking for a park to visit.

This park is off the beaten path, but it is a cool discovery. It is in the middle of a residential…read moreneighborhood and I'm sure everyone in this neighborhood loves this place. It is not very big, but the serenity of the park is very evident. There was also a kids play area a little creek running through it. I would definitely recommend a visit.

I like this park. It has an open track where people can walk or run. My kids run track and we…read morewanted to help them excel so we hired them a coach that can work with them beyond what their clubs do. Their coach had us meet him here. While at this park with the kids, I found a perfect spot to roller skate. It's a win win situation for me. The kids get their specialized track training and I get in a good roller skating session. While I was at the park, I noticed people using the baseball field and batting cage to practice. This park has a nice walking trail and a playground. Whenever we have gone, there haven't been too many people there so that's nice. Of course, I'll be back!

I came here for the 2019 Shelby County band showcase. When I arrived, it was already extremely…read morecrowded but I didn't have any trouble parking. The parking lot attendees were helpful in directing me on where to park and how to get into the stadium. I had been to this park 4 years ago for a walk but never to an event of this nature. When I came at that time, the park grounds were nice and the walking trail was well designed. The stadium seem really clean and the grounds were well kept. The sound system was nice and clear. All of the bands were great!

Moss Rock Preserve is one of my favorite places to hike! Several different trails, climbing rocks,…read moreand a picturesque waterfall make this a favorite with my kids. Conveniently located in Hoover, this spot is breathtaking and next to several dining options so you can have a meal before or after your hike. The trails are clear and easy for the most part. Lots of people bring their dogs. Go check it out!

I did a thing, I did a thing! Are you looking for some local beauty while getting some steps?…read morePlease go visit the Moss Rock Preserve. First, getting to the Preserve is relatively easy. It's located within a community, which eases the mind when you solo trek. The trails are laid out nicely with clear paths. The natural stepping paths are quite easy to maneuver for beginners like me. The beauty of the rocks and boulders are amazing. Bring your kids to see all the natural beauty of the caverns and waterfalls. I love this place! Alabama is such a beautiful place. Take the time to experience this natural beauty in your own backyard. Yes, it is a true workout. Skip the gym and come outside. We outside, we outside!

This is a nice trail at Ross Bridge. You can park next to the road. Trail is paved for part of the…read moreway, then it's gravel, then grass. Well shaded, this is a good place to go for a walk with or without dogs. Very pretty. There are bridges and a stream runs in the middle. There's a little wooden train and a small play area for little ones. Quiet and peaceful except for when the train goes by. We like walking our dogs here.

Next to a golf course and a railroad, the Ross Bridge Historical Park has an easy hiking/biking…read moretrail and a small creek covered by native plants. I visit this park once in a while to walk my dog or take photos of passing freight trains. There is limited parking space at the entrance, which deserves some attention.

This isn't really a park in the traditional sense. It's a bit of a catch-all. This area houses…read moreAlabaster Public Works Department, RC Club, Bird Observatory, and a community garden (which I think is now defunct). It's also where you can find the Recycling Drop Off since the city no longer has curbside pick-up. It's a bit of a drive from most of Alabaster, so I usually wait until I have a fair amount to take out there; great if you have a place to store it in the meantime. There are two large bins. The rollback on the right is for cardboard only. It used to have a sign to that effect, but I didn't notice it this time. The bin on the left has several doors, with each one labeled: Metal, Plastic 1 and Plastic 2, and Paper. I'm pretty sure the bin used to have interior walls that separated the sections, but they haven't been there the last few times we've been. So everything eventually mixes together, and as you can see from the pictures, people just kind of put whatever in whichever door. I do, however, appreciate the option to recycle in some capacity. The sign out by the road doesn't include the Recycling or Public Works, so you have to keep an eye out for the entrance.

I'm a birdwatcher & the Bird Observatory is really good. We were able to see over 20 species in…read morejust one hour. There are some short trails that go around the fields surrounding the water & it's cool to see butterflies, dragonflies, etc. But the entire experience can be ruined very quickly by the model airplane field next door. They fly their planes very low and right over the Bird Observatory and they're so loud, you have to shout to the person next to you. Exactly the atmosphere you think of when birdwatching: loud weed trimmer/leaf blower sounds from the sky while yelling at your fellow birdwatcher. Nice park, ruined by other people.

We had a great time visiting the Cahaba River wildlife area! We parked and walked down the road…read morerunning along the river and enjoyed the Cahaba Lillies in blossom. There were a lot of people in the area and I felt completely safe traveling by myself. Enjoy the beautiful flowers!

We love this park!…read more We come during the summer to swim and river walk. We watch people kayaking in the river and tubing too. It is all free and refreshing! Parking is not simple, but we always mange to find somewhere. Wear river shoes though because the river bottom is rocky and slippery. It is a great place to walk for exercise too.

I visited Oak Mountain State Park as part of the Mammoth March Hike, fully aware it was going to be…read morea major undertaking--but it still managed to shock me. The steep climbs up and down the mountain were incredibly challenging. At one point, I even slipped and slid down part of the trail but thankfully managed to do so gracefully without hurting myself. Being from Florida, I was definitely not accustomed to the elevation gain I was about to face. There were plenty of moments throughout the hike where I questioned why I signed up for this challenge, but pushing through and ultimately finishing made it all worth it. Having the bragging rights to say I conquered this terrain feels incredibly rewarding. That day, I didn't notice much floral life, and most of the critters seemed to be hiding--likely due to the large number of people participating in the hike. That said, I was still lucky enough to spot a rattlesnake and a black racer, which made the experience even more memorable. There were a few noteworthy areas worth stopping for, including an open area near a dam‑like structure and several peaceful river and creek spots along the route. While the park is absolutely massive and I know there was so much left unexplored, the 23 miles I trekked over 9 hours was more than enough for one day. If I find myself back in the area, I might just dare to return and explore some of the parts of the park I didn't get to see. Truly a beautiful park and an incredible asset for those who live nearby and get to enjoy it regularly.

I absolutely love going out to Oak Mountain. I have been several times with my sister and on my…read moreown. There's plenty to keep you busy no matter your interest or the season. I personally love going for a hike and bringing my pup along. Plus, there's so many great spots to stop and enjoy a picnic My husband and I plan to come and visit the golf course soon. As well as pack our bows to practice at the archery course.