Big Gem Park — Attraction in Shenandoah

After reading other reviews I wondered if I visited the same park yesterday. I drove by it again today to double check and confirmed. While driving by on vacation and noticed a wildlife and bird watching trail sign, so I decided to stop with my son and dog. We walked up to the gazebo and then around the pond in search of a trail. We crossed a wooden bridge with missing slats that felt like the entire thing could come crashing down at any time while walking across it. Over the bridge was a small playground surrounded by grass that was way overgrown. After the second time ending up back over there while following signs to the trail we finally found one mostly by accident. It was so overgrown that you could barely tell it was a trail. There was no way we were walking it, what a huge disappointment. Also be careful if you walk down by the pond. There are rusty fishing hooks and lines on the ground everywhere. I ended up with 2 hooks in my shoes. It could be beautiful if the time was taken...

I was really impressed. When you first pull in, there is a lake with some picnic tables, a wandering flock of ducks, and a small lake. You can see an elevated gazebo that is a short walk to ascend to, and some shelters beyond. As you walk deeper into the park, you come to the 1 mile loop trail, which is a great short hike with varied terrain. The park seems like a perfect spot for small events, as there are several pavilions that can be rented, and lots of space. There is also this neat site, some old foundations flooded with water and overgrown by moss. A stream weaves and cuts through the area, and it is moist and cool. Definitely would recommend for a nice hike after work, or a meandering walk enjoying...

Unfortunately, a storm rolled through the night before our visit, so the trails were closed due to downed trees—we can’t speak to their condition. As for the fishing, we wouldn’t recommend stopping for it. The area was swampy, full of snags, and we didn’t get any bites. There are no baby swings and the bathrooms were in very poor condition. We also noticed quite a bit of trash around the park, which gave the impression that it’s not well-maintained. It’s a shame, because with some community effort—maybe from local Scouts or volunteers or even the town—this park could really be improved. As it stands now, we wouldn’t consider it...