You might think that if you have no interest in military bases, there’s no reason to stop in Quantico. But you don’t need to harbor aspirations to become a warrior to enjoy Ninja Warrior.
That’s why you might find yourself driving over to Locust Shade Park, located at the Joplin Exit just outside the famous base, after all.
After a year of work, a new Ninja Warrior-style course has opened to the public. It’s a fun challenge for hardcore fans and casuals alike, which makes sense. The 20,000-square-foot park was funded in part by a $250,000 grant from the Department of Defense (matched by Prince William County), aimed at providing lifestyle benefits for marines and their families.
Prepping for Japan
Start your audition video (or after-work workout for the unambitious) with the obstacle course, which includes all the Warrior classics: floating boards, sway steps, ninja steps, and a u-turn ramp, to name a few. If you’re still a trainee, don’t worry. The course includes instruction on how to handle each obstacle, with advice for beginners, intermediate, and advanced ninjas.
But just like the show, it only gets harder. The warped wall, set off from the course so as not to intimidate the faint of heart, is the real deal, giving the televised version a run for its money.
You’ll even get to learn who the ultimate ninja warrior really is. A two-lane sprinting track allows friends to race for the title, with a real-time electronic scoreboard declaring the winning time.
Yes, it’s all pretty intense. And the course is recommended for kids 13 and up. But that doesn’t mean it’s not family-friendly. A miniature version of the main course is situated alongside, and it’s good for kids 2 and up. So if you dream of your son or daughter making it to Japan one day, there’s no time too early to start.
After you’re done with your park visit, check out the adjacent National Museum of the Marine Corps to round out your afternoon trip.
Feature image courtesy Locust Shade Park
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