Ribbon cutting Dec. 14 at PWC’s new GRO nature preschool at Locust Shade Park

Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism will host a Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Grō - A Natural Education Space at Locust Shade Park, 4780 Locust Shade Drive, Triangle, VA. 22172, on Saturday, Dec.14, at 11 a.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the hands-on natural education exhibits and participate in activities.

Grō at Locust Shade Park will offer natural education classes and spring and summer camp offerings.  The Grō curriculum provides children the opportunity to connect with, explore and learn through interaction with the natural world, harnessing the physical, emotional, social and academic benefits associated with outdoor play. 

Seth Hendler-Voss, Director of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, stated, “The new facility is a truly unique indoor/outdoor learning environment. Locust Shade Park combines 295 acres of natural woods with over 5 miles of trails and an 8-acre well-stocked lake which will provide the perfect setting for natural education experience.” 

The opening of Grō at Locust Shade Park marks the second nature-based educational facility for the Parks department. The first Grō facility opened in March of 2017 at James S. Long Park, Haymarket.

“The Grō curriculum is unique in its approach to childhood education. I had the honor to welcome the First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam when she visited the Grō facility at Long Park this past summer.” Supervisor Maureen Caddigan was quoted as saying in a news release. Caddigan continued, “I am very pleased to host the ribbon cutting ceremony for the second Grō facility, right here in the Potomac District. The facility is breath-taking.”

Locust Shade Park is located minutes from I-95, next to the Marine Corps Heritage Museum. The park is open year-round from 7 a.m. to dusk. The park is a dedicated part of the Federal Lands to Parks program, encumbered by Land & Water Conservation Fund restrictions. Locust Shade Park is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail