Sehmel Homestead Park — Attraction in Washington

The park is just average in comparison with other parks. It was originally a large family farm. The pros: it is the largest park in Gig Harbor. It contains ball fields (baseball and soccer), tennis courts, a short hiking trail that passes through woods and fields, a plant demonstration area, exercise equipment, and an accessible playground with reservable picnic shelter. There is also an indoor pavilion which can be rented for special events. The site is also large enough for community festivals such as the annual Easter Egg hunt and Scarecrow Festivals.

The cons:The reason it only gets three stars is that none of these features are especially outstanding. My biggest disappointment is the playground. It is touted as being designed specifically to make it accessible to children with special needs, but the way those features were added made it way less fun. Parents are more likely to play with their children on the playground if it is fun for them, too. But the wheelchair ramps make it difficult for an adult to move from one part of the playground to another as they are difficult to duck under because they are so low. None of the slides / firefighter poles / climbing features, etc., are taller than about five or six feet. There are no merry-go-rounds or other feature that encourage kids to run or spin. I have seen parks that are both accessible and fun for everyone of any ability (there is a great one in Eugene, OR). That one is a three-level playground with the first TWO levels accessible to wheelchairs and allows for taller features. The cloest restrooms are two or three port-a-potties. There are flush toilets, but you have to walk from the playground and down and around a large fenced baseball field to get to them. There are two pieces of exercise equipment that allow an adult to exercise: a sit-and-pedal piece, and a stand-up and walk piece. The trail is also average. It is essentially a perimeter path that mostly follows the park border with very few intersections or features to make it interesting. There are one or two footbridges across a small atream, some minor elevation gain, and, in certain seasons, a few edible berries along the way, but also road noise and views of neighboring houses and property. As far as an event venue, the fields are sizable enough for vendors and activities, but parking is limited for popular events. Get there early, or there is nowhere to park as both the small paved lots and the grassy overflow parking fills up quickly. The rental pavilion is nothing fancy, nor particularly large, suitable for about 60 to 80 people for a sitdown event with no room to spare, though you can open large side doors that lead to a covered patio for an indoor-outdoor area. That building has one restroom, and also houses some...

Was here today for a wedding. I was the photographer. Got to the park early so my husband and I decided to go for a hike. We're avid hikers so it worked out well. Just wasnt exactly the most dressed for it. Anyways. We hiked around the park on the trails about 3 miles. Trails were nice, clean, well marked. Was also nice that they were heavily shaded. The park had a great play ground, football/soccer field. Also had tennis courts. The wedding/venue was nice. The arbor for the ceremony on the back deck area of the venue was great. I felt the getting ready area (office space) and the two one person restrooms were a bit lacking for a bathroom/preparing space. There is another set of bathrooms adjacent to the venue but those bathrooms you share with other park goers. So be prepared to bring a motor home or get ready elsewhere. The space is nice. Come the evening summer time it does fill with sun, gets bright and a bit warm. But other than that definitely a great space if your on a budget. Pictures are a sneak from the wedding I shot. These are cell phone pics. Then a few snaps of the hiking trails. ♡...

Great park! So much to do. There are several large fields for softball, baseball and soccer. Several basketball and tennis courts. There is a huge play structure/jungle gym with multiple slides, climbing structures, swings and other activities. Lots of benches and picnic tables for parents to watch children play. Gender specific and family bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Dogs are allowed but must be leased. Doggie waste disposal bags are available. Several water fountains with water bottle fillers. Covered picnic area is first come first served. Lots of swings including toddler, handicapped and regular swings. There is a stationary bike and elliptical machine for parents to use while the kids play. This park gets very crowded during peak hours. Lots of parking but only 3 handicapped spaces which are...