Shenandoah Veterans Park on Virginia Avenue
We drove down to the park on Sunday May 10, 2026 saw where the Town of Shenandoah Maintenance crew had reworked the area directly behind the flags.
The overgrown Juniper bushes had been removed. Railroad Ties, rocks, shrubs and grass have been planted. According to Shenandoah Town Manager Charlie Jenkins “council has approved to add Space Force Branch of Service that was established December 20, 2019. A new monument and flagpole will be installed to honor this branch.”
Below are before and after photographs of Veterans Park.
Before
Above picture was taken April 22, 2022.
After
Above picture of Veterans Park was taken on May 10, 2026
Big Gem Park
Work has been on going at Big Gem Park for well over a month now. The gazebo has been saved and is currently sitting near the picnic shelter. Dirt from Big Gem Park was removed and trucks relocated it to the other side of highway 340, directly across from the park.
Before
The above picture was taken on March 13, 2026.
After
The above picture was taken on May 10, 2026.
We asked Shenandoah Town Manager, what other work needs to be done at Big Gem Park and will the park be open for Memorial Day weekend?
He replied “The area around the large parking area needs to be cleared of tree debris, the swing set needs to be relocated to near the play equipment, the basketball court needs to be constructed, and there is going to be continued work around the park to remove dead/dying trees and to clear off overgrown vegetation. The paved walking path area still needs to be cleaned up for future plantings of flowers and ornamental trees.
The park should be opened this week depending on weather and the contractor. The goal is to get the Pond and Picnic shelter area open for use while work continues in other portions of the park. We ask that the public stays clear of the brush pile, the planted grass area, and any construction equipment.
Planning continues for the Bicycle Pump Track which will be a great addition to the park.”
The above picture was taken on April 9, 2026 and shows the path the trucks used to relocate the dirt from Big Gem Park to the other side of the highway. The trucks drove under Highway 340.
Some big landscaping changes have also been taking place across the highway from Big Gem Park on property owned by Turner Concrete. Below are some before and after pictures of this area.
Before
Above photograph was taken on August 10, 2014 after Lantz Construction put up a new red building on Sullivan Property across from Big Gem Park. The small red sign read “Site Work Provided by Woods Excavating (540) 298-2970.
After
Above photograph was taken behind the red building on Turner Concrete on October 01, 2025 and is looking across highway 340 towards Big Gem Park. Work in Big Gem Park had not started yet.
Above photograph was taken on May 10, 2026 Showing Turner Concrete sign looking north.
Above photograph -Turner Concrete property looking North and was taken on May 10, 2026.
Above photograph- Turner Concrete property looking South and was taken on May 10, 2026.
