Ohio State Parks and Passport America - no more

[VE3ESN]

Many Ohio State Parks used to honor Passport America members from Sunday to Thursday and gave a 50% discount. However, this arrangement appears to have been cancelled. The Passport America website no longer lists the formerly participating Ohio State Parks, and in fact lists them all in their 'Cancelled Campgrounds' section. The last time I looked,the Reserve America website still indicated a discount for PA cardholders, so I sent them an email to suggest they update their website.

Too bad, but another perk gone.

[Tom_Meisner]

Just found this out the hard way, stayed at Maumee Bay SP last week, was a disappointment but we love OSPs and will pay full price. Can't get a Golden Buckeye card as now live in Indiana.

[drsteve]

VE3ESN wrote:
Spring is just around the corner, even though Southern Ontario is scheduled to receive a large dump of snow tonight.

So far today southern MI has received close to 3 inches. Yesterday it was 60 degrees and sunny...

[VE3ESN]

Just received a reply from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. They will be deleting the reference to the Passport America discount on the Reserve America page. It was confirmed that Ohio State Parks opted out of participation in the Passport America program in December of 2017.

Oh well, Ohio State Parks are still reasonably priced.

Happy camping! Spring is just around the corner, even though Southern Ontario is scheduled to receive a large dump of snow tonight.

[austinjenna]

What a shame. Just another perk gone. i have noticed parks on the decline over the years.

Then you must not be referring to Ohio State parks. They have been doing a ton of upgrades to the parks. New electric, more FHU sites, new bath houses, new boat docks, more dump stations, new pools. etc....

[2gypsies1]

westernrvparkowner wrote:

machunt wrote:
What a shame. Just another perk gone. i have noticed parks on the decline over the years.

If your observations about the PPA affiliated parks declining is correct, it could be evidence that the underlying business model is failing those parks. The pitch to parks is PPA will help fill unused sites during slow periods and those customers will return as full priced guests due to their good experience.

I believe he was referring to the Ohio State Parks declining.

[westernrvparkow]

machunt wrote:
What a shame. Just another perk gone. i have noticed parks on the decline over the years.

If your observations about the PPA affiliated parks declining is correct, it could be evidence that the underlying business model is failing those parks. The pitch to parks is PPA will help fill unused sites during slow periods and those customers will return as full priced guests due to their good experience. What the parks may be finding is they are filling sites with guests that don't make them any money, with the half price rents covering costs at best, and those customers will only return at PPA rates in the future. This effectively means the parks are taking on extra work and the facilities get extra wear and tear and the park isn't making any extra money. Not good for the Park.
It would be interesting to see how many PPA customers actually become full price guests at those PPA parks. In my experience, people who want deep discounts always want deep discounts and will seldom return to pay full price for something they once got at a big price reduction.

[2gypsies1]

You should feel very fortunate about the special offers that Ohio State Parks DO have! (See their web site) Most states do not have those perks.

http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/discounts

[machunt]

What a shame. Just another perk gone. i have noticed parks on the decline over the years.

[gafidler]

you must not travel much, if $44 a year is not a good deal...

[VE3ESN]

2gypsies wrote:
Every state park needs revenue not discount camping. Think of it as a contribution to something you love.

Agreed, but the rationale in Ohio was to bring in more campers during the week (Sunday-Thursday) at selected parks when they were under-utilized.

Incidentally, we've been to a few private Passport America participating campgrounds and they've been much poorer than Ohio State Parks. PA wants my renewal, but I'm going to pass.

[2gypsies1]

Every state park needs revenue not discount camping. Think of it as a contribution to something you love.