Iowa campground owner blames dam operators for flooding

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:16:00 -0400

(July 30, 2010) -- The owner of Walnut Acrews Campground and others living down river from the Delhi Dam are blaming dam operators for the flood damage they’re experiencing this summer, KCRG-TV reported.

Panel to consider temporary RV park in Kentucky

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:54:00 -0400

(July 30, 2010) -- A panel will consider whether to grant a permit that would allow a campground for 444 recreational vehicles on a farm near the Kentucky Horse Park during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

Campground settles with Virginia officials over sewer issue

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:50:00 -0400

(July 30, 2010) -- According to the consent decree, the Department of Environmental Quality issued discharge violations after the company reported that the plant exceeded discharge limits for suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus last year. Dominion Campground said the problems were related to rainfall seeping into the system, WRIC-TV reported.

Fourth bear caught after Montana attacks

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:41:00 -0400

(July 30, 2010) -- The last grizzly bear believed to have been involved in the fatal mauling of a Michigan man at Soda Butte Campground was captured. All four bears are undergoing DNA tests to verify their involvement in the rampage, the Associated Press reported.

Commemorative quarter released at Yosemite National Park

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:14:00 -0400

(July 30, 2010) -- At the conclusion of the launch ceremony, members of the public exchanged their paper currency for rolls of the new Yosemite National Park quarters, while children 18 and younger received a new quarter to commemorate the event. The United States Mint began offering 100-coin bags and two-roll sets of the new quarters for sale on July 26

Minnesota RV park under new ownership

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:00:00 -0400

(July 30, 2010) -- The new owners of River Hills Park, an RV park and nine-hole golf course off of Highway 59, are working to enhance amenities and transform the 88-acre facility into a family-oriented location, the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead reported.

Roche Percee campgrounds host their first campers

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:41:00 -0400

(July 30, 2010) -- “With the way that people have come out and helped, and volunteered their time and equipment, and given us a little bit of cash, we can say that we can have at least the spots there for campers,” said Boyer.

UPDATE: Judge jails Pennsylvania campground owner for contempt

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:44:00 -0400

(July 29, 2010) -- Thomas Peckham, owner of Moon Meadows Campground, must remain in jail until all tenants move out of the Greenfield Township campground or he fixes its sewage system, the Erie Times-News reported.

Editor promotes idea of creating RV park in Atlantic City

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:56:00 -0400

(July 29, 2010) -- "These rigs are expensive. The people who own them have some money to spend. All of what Atlantic City offers would be a short walk or shuttle ride away," wrote Perskie. "And right at Bader, they would have access to fishing, crabbing and a boat ramp (a lot of RVers tow boats with them). I think they would love it."

Pennsylvania court gives campground residents stay of eviction

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:39:00 -0400

(July 29, 2010) -- Erie County Judge Shad Connelly issued an extension to his court order that required the Moon Meadows Campground to close Tuesday because owner Thomas Peckham failed to complete mandated sewer improvements, the Erie Times-News reported.

Alberta's online reservation system proves to be popular

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:33:00 -0400

(July 29, 2010) -- With the long weekend ahead, there were fewer than 25 spots left on Alberta Park's online campsite reservation system, the Calgary Herald reported.

Alabama RV park sets date for grand opening

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:04:00 -0400

(July 28, 2010) -- Minooka Park will host a summer celebration Saturday to highlight the grand opening of its new RV campground, the Clanton Advertiser reported.

Camping fees to rise at Arkansas state parks

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:49:00 -0400

(July 28, 2010) -- Park officials said fewer people have been using lodging and camping services so they need to make up that lost revenue. They said rate increase will generate about $1 million a year in revenue.

Wildfire forces evacuation of Canadian RV park

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:14:00 -0400

(July 28, 2010) -- An aggressive wildfire in east Kamloops forced the evacuation of about 150 residents of the Riverview Campground and RV Park, Kamloops This Week reported.

National Park Service offers fee-free days Aug. 14 and 15

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:50:00 -0400

(July 28, 2010) -- “This fee-free weekend provides an opportunity for individuals and families alike to take an affordable vacation or to explore a nearby park they have never visited before,” Salazar said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free admission to visit not only our greatest natural wonders but also our nation’s historic and cultural icons.”

Virtual Outdoor Expo finds variety of new exhibitors

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:52:00 -0400

(July 28, 2010) -- “We have been seeking exhibitors who have tremendously interesting items or services to offer to the outdoor hospitality industry, but because of a variety of factors do not appear at industry trade shows very often,” said Lieberman.

Judges denies request to delay campground evictions in Pennsylvania

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:30:00 -0400

(July 27, 2010) -- Erie County Sheriff's Office deputies could begin evicting residents of Moon Meadows Campground today after a judge denied a request to delay enforcing an order to close the campground because sewer improvements were not completed, the Erie Times-News reported.

Sun Communities releases second quarter financials

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:51:00 -0400

(July 27, 2010) -- For the three months ended June 30, total revenues were $66.3 million, up $3.0 million or 4.8 percent. Funds from Operations (FFO) was $0.66 per diluted share, an increase of 6.5 percent. Same site net operating income (NOI) increased by 3.4 percent. Home sales increased 50.7 percent, from 270 units to 407 units.

Michigan campsite park looking to expand

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:35:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) --  A 42-campsite park in Pinconning, Mich., is looking to expand its footprint in the coming year, to between 92 and 142 sites.

UPDATE: Arizona town council approves rezoning for KOA

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:36:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) -- In Arizona, the Chino Valley Town Council last week agreed to rezone a 17-acre parcel on the municipality's northeast side for a Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) RV parking area for overnight camping.

Flooding victims’ families reunite at Albert Pike Campground

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:36:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) -- Last month, 20 people died in a flash flood at the Albert Pike Campground in Arkansas. Saturday victims' families reunited and they plan to reunite at least once a year at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church where they comforted one another in the worst days of their lives. 

Out-of-province campers pay more for campsites in Saskatchewan

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:36:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) -- Anyone visiting Saskatchewan and planning to camp in a provincial park will pay between $4 and $6 more per night for a spot this summer.

Florida park manager arrested for pocketing rent

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:26:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) -- A mobile home and RV park manager was arrested by Pasco County, Florida, deputies last week. She's accused of bilking the park owners out of more than $5,000 in rent.

Low water levels impacting campground's business in Massachussets

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:07:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) -- At the Forge Pond Campground, swimming is prohibited and and kayaking and canoeing are off limits on certain days after state officials ordered water levels lowered at the pond, the Herald News reported.

Investors attracted to campground industry in California

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:56:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) -- Debbie Sipe, executive director of the California Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, said investors are enticed by the idea of benefiting from a business model that serves families, rather than maybe spending money on a faceless commercial building, the Record Searchlight reported.

Crime rises at California state parks

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:33:00 -0400

(July 26, 2010) -- The newspaper analyzed Department of Parks and Recreation data showing 62,575 crimes were reported in the parks last year, or about 170 a day. That compares to 65 a day in 1999. The good news is that serious and violent crimes remain rare in parks. There were 33 assaults in 1999 and 87 last year.

Oregon RV park targets overnighters

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:03:00 -0400

(July 23, 2010) -- Emerald Valley RV Park, right off the North Jefferson exit, covers just under 5 acres and has 52 RV sites, more than half of those designated for overnight stay.

Camping gets easier at British Columbia provincial parks

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:54:00 -0400

(July 23, 2010) -- The provincial park's department brought in two log cabins featured at the Winter Olympics and installed them at Porteau Cove Provincial Park. A similar initiative at Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park was launched this summer which includes a nine-metre, four-person RV trailer that rents for $125 per night, linen not included.

Leaking levee makes residents nervous at Texas RV park

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:47:00 -0400

(July 23, 2010) -- Now that two drainage gates on a levee are leaking, and water is flowing into the Llano Grande RV Park, residents there are getting a bit nervous, KRGV-TV reported.

Bomb squad detonates grenade found at Alberta RV park

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:14:00 -0400

(July 23, 2010) -- The grenade was uncovered last night by a resident while going through a box of items at Country Roads RV Park. Police evacuated two trailers and cordoned off the area until the military personnel arrived to handle the disposal.

Canadian campground owner provides family fun with Jellystone Park

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:44:00 -0400

(July 23, 2010) -- Families have made Jellystone Parks a summer destination ever since the first park in the chain opened in 1969. No one knows this better than Tim O’Rourke, who owns Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park and Camp-Resort in Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Summer camping numbers continue to climb at KOA

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:27:00 -0400

(July 22, 2010) -- Between May 1 and July 15, KOA saw an increase of more than 7 percent in camper registrations, compared to the same period in 2009. That news comes on the heels of a record Fourth of July weekend, which saw an 8 percent growth in camper registrations compared to 2009. In fact, Friday, July 2 was the highest volume of camper registrations in Kampgrounds of America’s 48-year history.

Minnesota campground's conversion to Jellystone proves popular

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:45:00 -0400

(July 22, 2010) -- Located 8 miles east of Austin, Beaver Trails Campground became a Jellystone park two years ago and is planning an expansion. It has 300 campsites now and plans to add more cabins along with a a mini-golf course, splash park and volleyball court.

Montana campground reopens after being shuttered for five years

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:10:00 -0400

(July 22, 2010) -- Dale and Patty Fenner, of Montana Old West Outfitters, took over the concession at Duck Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The campground offers 14 electrical sites and 10 standard sites along with seven cabins.

Virtual Outdoor Expo hires staff, introduces key players

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:22:00 -0400

(July 22, 2010) -- The Virtual Outdoor Hospitality Expo has been filling its exhibit hall with several businesses that are easily recognizable to people familiar with the outdoor hospitality industry. Dozens of marketing calls are now being made every day by Campground Expositions, the expo’s producer, due to the efforts of two new marketing representatives.

Hosting an RV Centennial event could earn one campground $5,000

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:35:00 -0400

(July 21, 2010) -- Campground owners who host an event at their parks to celebrate the RV Centennial could win $5,000 from Evergreen USA if they capture the event on film, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds reported.

Camping a hit at this year's North Dakota State Fair

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:28:00 -0400

(July 21, 2010) -- For the first time in years, fair campgrounds are 100 percent full at a price of $15 a night, KFYR-TV reported. In fact, this year is the first time campgrounds have been sold out every one of the nine days of the fair. Only non-electrical sites remain.

Developer seeks to build KOA in Arizona

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:17:00 -0400

(July 21, 2010) -- Charlie Arnold, of Bright Star Communities, is applying for the KOA project in Chino Valley, which would include 32 cabins and 119 campsites to accommodate RVs of various sizes, the Daily Courier reported.

Campground plan gets thumbs down from North Dakota city

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:02:00 -0400

(July 21, 2010) -- Terry Schatz was seeking permission to build a 41-unit RV park for short-term and long-term stays next to the mobile home park he currently owns in Williston.

California ARVC recognizes members support state fair effort

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:14:00 -0400

(July 21, 2010) -- One of the extra expenses that was critical to the success of this event was the rental of a large 30-foot-by-60-foot tent to provide shade for the event area. The association feared families would not participate in relay races if they had to wait in the full sun. After sending out an appeal for support by fax and e-mail to some CalARVC members, several responded with donations to rent the tent.

Equity LifeStyle Properties releases second quarter financials

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:08:00 -0400

(July 20, 2010) -- Second quarter 2010 property operating revenues were $119.0 million, compared to $116.1 million in the second quarter of 2009. For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the company had 22 new home sales, including two third-party dealer sales, which represents a 4.8 percent increase over 2009.

Omaha businessman wants to develop new RV park

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:24:00 -0400

(July 20, 2010) -- Jay Rybin, owner of Rybin Plumbing and Heating, wants to create an RV park with up to 150 pads two miles from the stadium near Freedom Park out of sight from TD Ameritrade Park's confines, the World Herald reported.

Rift forms as ARVC forges ahead with purchase of new building

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:50:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) -- The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds is proceeding with a plan to acquire a new building in Colorado after the association learned its current office location is not zoned for offices. The decision has caused division among some ARVC's members as to whether the purchase is the right thing to do at this time.

Update: Apple Creek Campground reopens after flooding in Wisc.

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:49:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) -- Heavy rain forced Apple Creek Campground to evacuate on July 15, but as waters receded, the campground was open this weekend in Wisconsin. The campground is still showing signs of heavy flooding, but retreating water allowed clean up, according to WFRV News.

Cape Pointe RV Park opened in N.C. this weekend

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:41:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) -- Located on Harkers Island with 100 RV spots, Cape Pointe RV Park is North Carolina's newest waterfront RV park.

In Maine: Whispering Pines Campground to close

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:26:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) --  Whispering Pines Campground in Orland, Maine, has been around since the late 1970s, but after this summer, it's closing down. Owners say they'll miss watching the kids grow year after year when they came back to visit the campground.

7 year old hospitalized after fall from pool ladder

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:17:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) -- A 7-year-old girl remained hospitalized in critical condition Saturday after she fell about 10 feet from a ladder that was part of a water slide attraction at a New Jersey campground.

Arkansas state parks appoints new operations director

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:54:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) -- Jon Brown has been selected to oversee the day-to-day operations of Arkansas' 52 state parks and the 552 ful-time and 760-part time employees who keep them running, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported.

Alaska campgrounds doing better this year

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:37:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) -- The Alaska Campground Owners Association says reports are showing that bookings by campers are up this year, and some campgrounds are having their best year since 2005 or 2006.

New owners revive Michigan campground

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:28:00 -0400

(July 19, 2010) -- Four years ago, Mike Browder's thought Grass Lake All Seasons Resort was going to sold to a developer with big plans. He was right. Plans for Holiday RV Campground involved reviving the campground through major renovations and an entirely new business model, the Jackson-Citizen Patriot reported.