Galen McBee Airport Park

Hidden from Hwy 18, Airport Park is a small yet thick forest, surrounded by fields and the airport’s runway.  What a view this must be for those flying above it!  The trails wind through tall trees and over creek beds. For as compact as the area is, you don’t notice it because of all the turns.  A couple footbridges cross the creek in different spots and the trail narrows and becomes slightly (oh so slightly) technical on the west side, with low branches and tree roots. 

The trail itself is only a little longer than a mile but you could easily increase that by exploring all the side trails. Don’t worry, you can’t get lost. 

The infamous mushroom house is a little creepy but a landmark of the park.  The mushroom, probably intended as a play structure for children, is dark and covered in graphite.

The trails are mostly flat except one area near the creek.  There are two sets of gradual stairs on each side of the bridge.  There are little trail shoots off the main ones, leading to picnic tables. There are also interesting, nonfunctional, cement water fountains sprinkled throughout the park.  Once upon a time, I imagine these were quite grand, decorative pieces of art.  They have what looks like glass stones imbedded in them.  

There are a few exit points from the trails, leading to the runway of the airport and a neighboring field.  I have taken both while running.  I was well rewarded for my exploring.  I came across a very large paper mache looking Yeti.  The blackberries are slowly overtaking him.  I don’t know the story behind the Yeti, but how appropriate it is to stumble across him off the beaten path. I continued along the edge of the field to an overgrown road, leading down.  I took this and it led me to another creek, which I followed as long as I could, a half mile maybe, to where it dead ended.  I found myself jumping over downed trees and navigating blackberry bushes crowding the road.

I rate this hike as a 0, as it’s a nature walk and a great place to run, but not much of a place for a hike.