FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The dog days of summer are winding down, creeping closer toward back-to-school, the return of football and the cooling of temperatures. While autumn is on its way, Fort Eustis' mini-park features all the fun of summer in one convenient spot.
Best of all, it won't break the bank.
The mini-park features 18 holes of mini-golf, ripe with obstacles, sand traps and a waterfall, batting cages for baseball and softball players. One of the most popular attractions, the quarter-mile go-kart track, features go-karts for single riders, and doubles for adults with young children.
Joe Dumas, the chief of Eustis' outdoor recreation, said the mini-park's best feature is its value to Service members and their families.
"I don't think there's another place you could go and do all these activities for the price you'll pay here," Dumas said. "That's what we're striving to do - deliver recreation and entertainment to our military families at a price they can afford."
A round through the mini-golf course costs $3.75 per person, and children 5 and under play free with a paying adult. At the batting cages, $1 affords aspiring sluggers 20 pitches. Finally, speed demons can tackle the go-kart course for only $6 per ride, which lasts 10 minutes.
To get an idea of how inexpensive it is to have a good time at the park, here is a breakdown: For less than $30, visitors can channel their inner Tiger Woods on the greens three times, swing for the fences at 100 pitches, and zoom around the road course twice in a go-kart. For a fun weekend date, a couple can putt through the golf course, speed around the track, take their cuts in the batting cages and still have a few bucks left for a snack.
The mini-park is conveniently located on Lee Blvd., adjacent to the 7th Sustainment Brigade barracks buildings. Dumas said the park is a perennial hit with young Soldiers on post, and hopes to see more families living outside the gate visit the park for day of fun.
In addition to its normal weekend hours, Dumas offers party packages and unit rates at the facility. Rentals include unlimited use of the attractions. Rentals Monday through Friday are $175 per hour, while rentals run $175 for two hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Spc. Isaac Stevens, a Soldier assigned to the 53rd Transportation Battalion, recently enjoyed the attractions with his family during a unit morale day at the mini-park. He said he plans on bringing his children out to the mini-park often.
"We just arrived at Eustis, and we're blown away by how great this setup is. It's definitely among the nicer amenities I've seen at Army posts," Stevens said. "My kids really enjoyed coming out here. I think this is an awesome thing to have for families."
Want in on the action? Visit the Fort Eustis mini-park at 866 Lee Blvd. The park is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For special rentals or more information, call Fort Eustis Morale, Welfare and Recreation at 878-2610 or visit
www.eustismwr.com.