Eastern Prince William park offers plenty of activities

"Staycations" have become an alternative for many families during the current economic squeeze. Locust Shade Park in eastern Prince William County provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy a day or two of outdoor fun without having to travel far.

Locust Shade, run by the Prince William County Park Authority and located off U.S. 1 in Triangle, offers fishing, boating, picnicking and more.

The eight-acre Locust Shade Pond was stocked by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fish with trout and channel catfish in the spring. There also are bass, bluegill and crappie in the lake.

There is no permit or fee required by the park, but Virginia state trout regulations apply. Call 703-221-8578 for details and further information.

For those age 16 and older, a freshwater fishing license is required all year and a trout fishing license is required Nov. 1 through April 30. There are no license requirements for those under 16.

For those who may not be interested in fishing, the park also offers pedal boat rentals on the lake on weekends through September. The cost is $4 per half hour and the four-seater boats fit two adults and a maximum of two children.

The recently dedicated Jean Smith Amphitheater at Locust Shade offers quality entertainment in its outdoor setting. The seating is on benches that surround the stage, but many families choose to bring a picnic and spread out a blanket on the grassy hill. The stage is covered but the seating is not, so visitors are advised to dress for the weather. The fee is $4 per person for those 2 or older. For more information about the amphitheater entertainment series, call the park at 703-221-8579.

If you can swing a golf club, you can make a day of it at Locust Shade. The park features a large driving range to build up a power game and a mini golf course to challenge your putting expertise and a batting cage to perfect that swing. The whole family can join in the fun. The summer also is a perfect time for a picnic, and Locust Shade has plenty of picnic pavilions just for that.

There are also tennis courts, three separate playgrounds, horseshoe pits as well as fitness and nature trails.

For more information call the park at 703-221-8579.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.