TRIANGLE, Va. — Prince William County, Virginia has just unveiled a new obstacle course playground that is certain to be the envy of other parks departments in the Washington metropolitan area.
Locust Shade Park in Triangle is bordered on three sides by Marine Corps Base Quantico and on the other by the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
So, you know who the parks' clientele is going to be. Oorah!
"We get a host of visitors from out of town. From Fredericksburg all the way up into Maryland," said Amir Wenrich with the Prince William County government. "The kids love it. The parents love it. It's got a great reception."
The 'Challenge Course' also known as a 'Ninja Warrior' course after the well-known TV program, cost $520,000 to purchase and install, according to Brendon Hanafin, Capital Projects Manager for Prince William County.
$250,000 came from a Department of Defense grant.
"It’s a pretty amazing piece of equipment right here,” said Hanafin. "It’s a way to stay fit and it will help our Marines get their PT (physical training) in and have some fun while they're doing it.”
Marines and their families make up 50% of visitors to Locust Shade Park, according to a news release from Prince William County.
"This is really special," said Quantico Base Commander Col. Michael L. Brooks. "A lot of active-duty Marine Corps families and service members do come to this park on a daily basis, either participating on the trails or just taking advantage of some of the other opportunities that are provided here. It doesn’t matter your age, your ability level. Everyone can take part. It’s accessible to everyone and I really hope that it is as popular as it appears to be.”
Marine Corporal Luis Gomez of New York is stationed at Quantico. He walked WUSA9 through the course and explained its obstacles and how to navigate them.
Despite being in his twenties, Corporal Gomez also admitted to "feeling it in the morning" after a day of rigorous exercise on the warrior course.
"If you do it like five times you’ll definitely get a good sweat,” said Cpl. Gomez when asked if the course was a good supplement to his Marine training.
Additionally, the day after our shoot, County leaders cut the ribbon on a new, five-mile mountain bike course at Locust Shade park that was paid for entirely through grants and donations organized by the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE-MTB).
Find out more about the mountain bike trail HERE.
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