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**Location & Access:** Baldridge Boat Ramp is located north of Big Walnut Road on Sunbury Road in Westerville, near the intersection of Sunbury Road and Red Bank Road. This launch provides access to Hoover Reservoir, a 2,884-acre impoundment on Big Walnut Creek with 45 miles of shoreline, making it an excellent destination for kayaking, canoeing, and general boating.
**Paddling Conditions & Wildlife:** The reservoir offers calm, protected paddling waters ideal for recreational kayakers and canoeists. The area is known for wildlife viewing opportunities, including Wood Ducks, Prothonotary Warblers, and occasional Bald Eagle sightings—particularly near the Big Walnut Road bridge area where the stream exits. Twin Bridges Boat Ramp is located just south of the Sunbury/Red Bank Road intersection if you're looking for alternative launch points.
**Nearby Recreation:** Hoover Reservoir is part of a larger recreation area in the region. Alum Creek Lake, another significant paddling destination with a visitor center, is nearby and welcomes approximately 2.5 million visitors annually. For current information on ramp conditions, facilities, and detailed reservoir maps, contact Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.