Va. St parks and pet fee

2012Coleman wrote:
Way too much whining going on here. For the record, I have pets, but do not bring them camping too often. I am not against pets in CG's but people do not follow the rules. I've stepped in poop, and laughed as 2 or 3 little yappers locked up in campers bang on the shages yapping away at me as I walk by, and even when the owners are present and have them in pens, behind screen doors just yapping away. Westernrvparkowner has given a good perspective from a CG owner point of view and most of his examples can be applied to State CG's. If you don't like extra fees, just stay away. If you read the email from the VA ranger, their reasons are based on customer feedback, pet owners being in the minority. So they responded to what their customers wanted, which is what any good business would do. And since others have said that they are constantly booked shows that extra fees aren't hurting them in the least. Happy Camping!

For the record he is not ranger but the director of the state park system.

WRVPO has given a great prospective as a private rv park owner. But this is not a private park. This is a state park system that already has rates that are of a level of private campground rates without the added amenities. Especially when you add the dog fee.

I'm not saying I won't ever stay at one. We have always intended to go to somewhere like Grayson Highlands. But as the OP mentioned here, it's kind of alarming or unusual to see a state park system to do that. I don't really think dog owners are a minority. I think it is a revenue thing and has nothing to do with costs. After all, they said it was based on complaints. So $5 a day makes the complaints not worth much. They are basically saying to those complaining about the dogs, " yeah we hear your complaints, but we are still going to allow dogs". We are just gonna use this as an excuse to generate more revenue. I see two different things in the answer in the letter. People complained and we chose to charge more. So how does the money make the complaints better for the complainers? People are still bringing dogs, right? People are still going to complain. What will the director say then? Yeah, but we get $5 more a night.