Va. St parks and pet fee

wbwood wrote:
He also mentioned "associated costs with pets", but did not state what the associated costs were.

We re-sod the dog parks every three years to keep up with the urine killed grass. I have had to patch holes dug in sites by bored, tethered dogs. I can remember three times people had tethered their dogs to the water lines and the dog yanked hard enough to break the upright. Over the years we have had several guests leave early because they were disturbed by their neighbor's dogs and just didn't want to take the chance that even if management spoke to them, that the dogs would actually be kept quiet. Our insurance would be cheaper if we didn't allow dogs. Our doggie pot bag costs run a couple of hundred dollars a year. Right now I am having to replace three trees at several hundred dollars a tree because they got girdled by a careless pet owner tethering their poor dog with a chain. And now the next few hundred people using those sites won't be shaded by a 20 foot tall tree, they will, instead, be bask in the hot sun, because the 8 foot tall replacement trees won't provide much shade for 10 years.
Finally, handling dog complaints and problems takes time and time equals money. Yes, those employees handling those issues would be paid regardless, but they would much rather be earning their pay helping people enjoy their stay, not listening to complaints and dealing with the offenders. To say having dogs in a park is costless, is just plain inaccurate.

Ironically, I can drive to Buggs Island (Kerr) and get a lake side site for less money than I pay for 3 days, with two dogs at a Va. state park 17 miles down the road, Now that's a shame. Va. has some great state parks but......

Oaklevel wrote:

Lantley wrote:

mobeewan wrote:
I always clean up after my animals. So if they want to charge a pet fee than I don't have worry about cleaning up after them since I will be paying for it in advance.

Bottom line is everyone doesn't clean up after their pet. Why pet owners are in denial and don't believe pets cost the CG more money?
From clean up,to tie up,to barking issues CG's must deal with pets.
In the end CG's need more manpower to deal with pets. Why shouldn't pet owners pay?
The CG could charge everyone the pet fee,but instead they charge the pet owners the fee. If you don't want to pay the fee camp elsewhere but failing to clean up is irresponsible and only contributes to the problem.

????? Extra costs what are they ???? Hummmmm oh ya when I throw the little bags of poop in the trash it takes more room in the barrel.....more trash hauler cost for those little bags. some campgrounds provide bags for those that don't have them that's a cost.......never seen a campgroud employee pick up poop usually it us other dog owners..... what else...... hummmmm Never seen the dog patrol/ pooper scooper employee yet so that comes to about 10 cents per dog.............

Oaklevel in the end the policy seems to be working. The VA parks collect a few extra dollars. Those who enjoy the Va parks with their pets go and pay the fees. Those who do not like the fees camp elsewhere. The fees appear to be working as designed.

The VA parks I have visited and plan to visit are full to capacity.
I trust the places you choose to go vs. the VA state parks are equally as nice as the VA parks and at a bargain price as well. You save a few bucks VA makes a few bucks everyone is happy.

3 dog nights wrote:
Brian, I had to notice that he neglected to say the $5 per night to a max of $15, is per dog, not per site. I do appreciate your sharing the story and letter here. I have added your site to my favorite's list.

Brian while we are probably on opposite sides of the fee issue I too appreciate you taking the time to post the letter. I does give some insight into the VA parks decision process.

Lantley wrote:

mobeewan wrote:
I always clean up after my animals. So if they want to charge a pet fee than I don't have worry about cleaning up after them since I will be paying for it in advance.

Bottom line is everyone doesn't clean up after their pet. Why pet owners are in denial and don't believe pets cost the CG more money?
From clean up,to tie up,to barking issues CG's must deal with pets.
In the end CG's need more manpower to deal with pets. Why shouldn't pet owners pay?
The CG could charge everyone the pet fee,but instead they charge the pet owners the fee. If you don't want to pay the fee camp elsewhere but failing to clean up is irresponsible and only contributes to the problem.

????? Extra costs what are they ???? Hummmmm oh ya when I throw the little bags of poop in the trash it takes more room in the barrel.....more trash hauler cost for those little bags. some campgrounds provide bags for those that don't have them that's a cost.......never seen a campgroud employee pick up poop usually it us other dog owners..... what else...... hummmmm Never seen the dog patrol/ pooper scooper employee yet so that comes to about 10 cents per dog.............

He also mentioned "associated costs with pets", but did not state what the associated costs were.

Lantley wrote:

Oaklevel wrote:

Lantley wrote:

3 dog nights wrote:
I can't afford the State Park's. I used to go all the time, but $5 per night, per dog for the first 3 nights, ruins a weekend trip. As stated above Kiptopeake @ $37 per night + $15 for the dogs + $5 reservation fee a Fri/Sat night stay now cost me, $109. No thanks.
My three dogs weigh 25# combined and stay in the camper 98% of the time. If they want to control damage, charge for kids.
BTW, read recently that 75% of the camping public travels with a pet.

I feel your pain. I only have 1 dog so my fee is $15.00 vs. $45.00 is that correct?
At $45.00 I would certainly think VA parks do not want people with multiple pets camping there. They have set their prices to discourage those with multiple pets. I guess it's working.
On the flip side how much does it cost you to stay at a full hook up private park? $50.00-$60.00 per night in a non resort area?

Our local area full hookup campground which is in a busy area is $30 per night nothing extra for dogs or extra people or extra car........... I can go to Myrtle Beach for $35 Nov 1 through Easter & we do great time of year to go.............

Where is this $30.00 full hook up CG?
Granted the weather is decent in MB year round,but off season rates kind of cloud the issue.

Ya the beach is $66 during the summer & after Sept 1 its $41 when we do our camping OK again $41 Beach or $40 for a run down State Park with small sites...... Water & Electric & a dump station no cloud to this issue.......Hmmmmmmm no brainer to us...........

Just one of several & just across the state line but Mt. Airy NC just off I74 not too far from I77 ..... Hometown to Andy Griffith & everything Mayberry, Pilot Mountain, Fall Fest's, Eng & Chang Bunker Siamese Twins, Lots to good ole' tourist stuff to do.........not far off the Blue Ridge Parkway.....Much More..... The $30 is with my Good Sam 10% Discount They have over 100 sites & Full on fest weekends & holidays.....
We also have Corp campground near by as well........ much cheaper & nicer than our area State Parks.........

Just my opinion we all have one

Between the dog fee and not being able to reserve a specific site, I haven't stayed in a VA State Park in several years. And we love Grayson Highlands.

Brian, I had to notice that he neglected to say the $5 per night to a max of $15, is per dog, not per site. I do appreciate your sharing the story and letter here. I have added your site to my favorite's list.

3 dog nights wrote:
I anxiously await your report Brian, meantime I have started contacting my local representatives and working my way around thru "the system" to find out what the reasoning and what's necessary to change it.

Got it up. kind of quickly, so be kind...lol

Just go to our website listed in our signature and it's entitled "Gone to the dogs!". There is a link there that leads directly to the response that I received. It is a scanned letter, so what you are seeing is the actual response.