Posts Tagged ‘campground’

It’s not much to look at — a thin strip of 84 no-frills campsites nestled between the beach and the residential area of north Morro Bay.

Even so, the campground at Morro Strand State Beach has a loyal following. Its main attractions are the scenic environs of Estero Bay and three miles of sparkling beaches to play on.

But the campground is set to close July 1 — at the height of the summer camping season — a victim of the state budget crisis and the need to cut $22 million over two years from the State Parks Department budget.

“It’s perfect for camping,” said Larry Weeks of Visalia as he parked his 35-foot Pace Arrow motor home at the campground. “I’d sure hate to see it close.”

Morro Bay city and business leaders are worried that closure of the campground will hurt the city’s economy. They say the closure could cost as much as $2.5 million a year.

This is based on estimates by the city that some 44,000 campers use the park annually and each spends about $58 in the local economy. In August, Morro Bay Mayor Bill Yates sent a letter to State Parks protesting the closure.

The city and Chamber of Commerce are working with State Parks to prevent the closure by finding a nonprofit group or concessionaire to run the campground, although no one has been found yet.

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Campground and RV park operators, hurt by the state’s hot, dry summer, are anticipating a rebound this season because of “winter Texans,” those out-of-state residents who migrate to the warmer parts of the Lone Star State to avoid the coldest weeks back home.

“Many of our affiliates are reporting much higher bookings for the winter season than they experienced last year,” said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Texas Association of Campground Owners.

This summer’s drought hurt many RV parks and campgrounds, particularly those located on lakes or rivers.

“Last summer was the worst summer I’ve had in years due to the drought,” said Doug Shearer, owner of Parkview Riverside RV Resort in Concan, near Uvalde. “But our winter is looking good.”

Shearer said reservations were running 10 to 15 percent ahead of last winter.

Bryan Kastleman, managing partner at Hill Country RV Resort in New Braunfels, said his bookings are up because of more than just winter Texans. He said the surge in the San Antonio economy is creating a need for workers to find temporary places to stay.

“It’s looking really strong,” Kastleman said of the winter bookings.

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To encourage Americans to explore America’s natural beauty, rich history and culture, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the National Park Service will waive admission fees on 17 days in 2012.

“From Independence Hall to our newest national park, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, our national parks tell the story of America, from the beauty of our land to our struggle for freedom and justice,” Secretary Salazar said. “Whether or not it’s during one of the 17 fee free days next year, I encourage everyone to visit a park near them and enjoy the remarkable landscapes and historical and cultural sites that are unique to our great country.”

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