In a few weeks, big landscaping changes are coming to Big Gem Park in Shenandoah.
We have learned from Council Packet for Shenandoah Town Council minutes February 24, 2026 that the dirt mound that the gazebo sits on will be taken down. Turner Concrete and Excavating will be doing the work for $58,000, and will be paid $1,000 per month for the next five years.
We asked Shenandoah Town Manger Charlie Jenkins some questions about this project.
Q- Is the mound coming down as result of erosion around the edges of the mound?
A- Erosion is a concern on the back side as is trying to maintain the step bank. The main reason for removing the mound is to provide a larger flat surface area for recreation and activities.
Q- Will the Gazebo be kept in the park?
A- Yes, the Gazebo is planned to be moved to the ADA trail end loop as a location for walkers to rest and take in nature.
Q- Will the dirt be reused in the park?
A- Yes, we plan to reuse most of the dirt in the park to fill in low areas, help with trail building, aid in road building and possibly for a Bicycle pump track if that project takes off.
Q- Will the work start in April and will the work be done all at once or spread out over the 5 years same as the payment plan to Turner Concrete?
A- We plan to get most of the work done in April/May of this year. The park will need to be closed at certain times due to heavy equipment operating.
Q- What kind of landscaping will be done once the mound has been removed?
A- Once the mound is removed, the area will be graded and grass sown. Also during this time, the area along RT340 and the parking lot will be cleaned up to remove trees, debris, and undergrowth.
Back when Big Gem Furnace was in operation, this mound of dirt set next to the limestone quarry. Over the years, the quarry hole area has filled up with water and has become a pond. In the fifties & sixties the pond went by name of Gays Pond. It got its name from Mr. Mackie Lonnie Gay that owned a small gas station directly across the highway from the pond. Mr. Gay was also a detective on the Norfolk and Western Railway. Mr. Gay passed away July 16, 1973. Once Big Gem Park was established, the pond then started going by the name of Big Gem Pond.
The wooden Gazebo was donated by Wrangler on February 26, 2004. One picnic table was donated by Oak Grove United Methodist Church and the other picnic table was donated in Memory of Adam Turner.
In July 2014 a new picnic shelter was built. This shelter has really enhanced the park immensely. It has added fifteen picnic tables, along with large parking area and a restroom next to it. This new shelter is more accessible to everyone and includes reserved handicap parking spot. The gazebo on top of the dirt mound served the park for many years, but it was a challenge getting up the hill to reach it, and involved climbing many steps or walking up a steep incline.
Over the years there has been several Eagle Scout Projects at Big Gem Park. Follow the link below to see what projects Joshua Gordon, Andy Wong and E. J. Enterline completed that enhanced Big Gem Park.
Scout Projects at Big Gem Park
From Shenandoah Herald (Woodstock Va Paper) April 4, 1883, we read the following
“ HEAVY BLASTING - One day last week a blast of twelve kegs of powder was set off in the rock quarry at Milnes, from which limestone is obtained for the Gem Furnace at that place. Terrible execution was done to the rock. One large piece was blown fully 150 yards and falling upon the Engine house crushed through the roof upon the boiler and did some injury to it, the extent of which we haye not learned. Another large piece was carried at least 300 yards and fell upon the roof of a house, crushing through the roof and floors down upon the table in the dining room, from which the family had just gotten up, breaking the table and everything on it to atoms. - Page News”
Above image came from Shenandoah Herald (Woodstock Va Paper) April 4, 1883
In the above photograph, one can see some of the erosion around the top of the dirt mound.
