Questions for snowbirds and campers?

[rbcamping]

I'm in the process of looking at a piece of land in Florida to build a park This particular piece of land has a sixty acre ;ale with enough room to build about two hundred spaces. My question is this. What type of activities would you like to see at the places you stay?

I'm already thinking of boat and kayak rentals for the lake, maybe a ski boat or some small sail boats.

A walk way around the lake to hike or run, ride bikes etc.

So what other features would you like to see?

I was even thinking of a stage to have live bands come in from time to time.

Thanks in advance for some suggestions.

[ependydad]

For me, I just want some space from my neighbor and space for my kids to play.

I don't care about activities, most amenities, and all that jazz.

If you do adult and kid pools, make sure they're equal and don't do something dumb like putting the baby pool over in the adult pool area.

So long as cell service is strong, I don't care about cable or wifi - and I fulltime with a wife and 2 kids where I work a 9-5 job every day. Those of us who do work online, we know we need to carry our own internet. Without cell service, wifi needs to be good and paid premium wifi needs to be great.

Make sure you have decent picnic tables. Not rotting and not flimsy.

(shrug)

[TomG2]

Not sure, but the OP might be simply having some fun on a late Winter day. All it would take is the insertion of one word to make this a daydream, which is what I think it is. As in: "If" I was going to build a campground, what would you like to see in it? Nothing wrong with enjoying the dream. Personally, I don't think a person with the wherewithal to build one or two new campgrounds in the state of Florida is going to need our help.

[2gypsies1]

Isn't it easy to spend someone else's money? 🙂 Some of these ideas call for a lot more than the OP is considering, I believe. He wants to keep it more simple.

For the lake environment - although you didn't say how large this lake is but you did mention perhaps a walking path around it so it's probably on the small side - I'd gear the park for its quiet nature aspects.... walking paths perhaps wide and suitable enough for biking and canoeing/kayaking/small sailboats. Eliminate the ski boat idea if this lake is small. It doesn't mix well with non-motorized boats. For fishing you might also stress electric motors to keep the lake quiet.

A nice clubhouse with an well-equipped exercise room and pool would be all you'd need. These can provide activities such as crafting, socials, games, movie night, exercise classes, perhaps a dance floor if you want to bring in music at times. A nice enclosed dog exercise area with grass, a tree or two and chairs for sitting would be welcomed along with fresh water access. Perhaps keeping a pet portable pool in it would be fun for the pups.

You didn't mention where in Florida this land is but if it's in a quiet spot you probably should gear it toward winter visitors rather than summer families. In that environment (water/trees) in summer in Florida it will probably draw bugs; hence, less visitors.

Good luck!

[PghBob]

OP: Since you are in Florida, take your new 5er to Fort Wilderness campground at Disney, which many believe is the "best" campground in the country. Talk to people, get their pro and cons, and see for yourself why people love to spend time there. BTW, it's not only the closeness of the amusement parks.

Secondly, remember that in your new to you location of Florida, where there is water, there are alligators. If you are putting sites along a lake or any body of water, how do you plan to keep your customers safe? You may need to work with someone knowledgeable on this topic.

Good Luck with your plans.

[BarbaraOK]

rbcamping wrote:
This particular property has already been approved for the RV park, I just want to see about making it larger. It will not have problems with neighbors since some of the neighbors are RV parks. I'm planning on putting in fencing along with security cameras. Speed limits shouldn't be an issue if the layout is done correctly. The prime spots will be back in only since they will back up to the lake. I'm planning on a walk full circle around the lake with some fishing docs. I'm also thinking that stocking the lake might be a good ideal. There are restaurants and stores with in a few blocks, walking distance. There are lots of trees on the property and I'm hoping to save as many as possible.

What kind of games are important for people, keep in mind that this is a small park so no tennis courts. I might be able to do a volley ball court. How many people play shuffle board? I see a lot of them here in Florida.

I'm not a drinker, and I don't want a park full of drunks, but I do understand the social aspects of it and think that something in moderation can be done.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

So your park will be for 5th wheels/trailers only? Because if you have 'lake views' and require people to back-in then why would anyone in a motorhome come to your park. Our "views" are out our front windows. You might want to rethink that one. We've been at a couple parks around a small lake, one side was back-in the other was pull in. Or you could set it up back-in next to pull-in all around the park with the back-to-back hookups.

If you are looking for snowbirds, then will the park be 55+?

[folivier]

I also like the idea of all or some of the waterfront sites, especially the higher priced premium ones, having duplicate hookups so an RV can either back in or pull in. Having the view out of your front or rear living area is a definite plus.
Also consider an adults/55+ area only in addition to a family area. While we love our own grandkids we may not enjoy being around yours....

[kerrlakeRoo]

In keeping with an earlier comment on a clubhouse and kitchen for group usage, a "court" with a half dozen or so sites with a central pavilion and kitchen, the sites could have rental units for the same family reunions or club meets, even weddings and receptions.

[rbcamping]

I owned a truck camper for about six years and just bought a 5th wheel which came off the assembly line last week. I will be picking it up in April.

All of your suggestions are great. I do know that most of the snow birds in this area are from Canada.

The location of this park is not off the freeway but is off of 41 in Fort Meyers area.

The second park I mentioned about will be much larger with more open space and most likely in a more rural environment. Probably more woodsy and hopefully a big lake, even if we have to build it.

The reason for this is it has been in my mind for several years, and will be my retirement plan, since the X took everything. I really want to do a lot of traveling.

[TomG2]

To the OP: Do you plan a high priced "resort" type park or a low cost option? Both seem to be doing well in the RGV while the mid-level parks are far less popular, even in February. What about dogs?

[Scottiemom]

The back in lakeside spots should have hookups on both sides to accommodate both the big motorhomes facing the lake and the 5'ers with their large windows in the back being able to back in.

No horseshoes, please. No shuffleboard. I would have kayak rentals, maybe paddleboats for the lake. Walking paths, bike paths. While I don't play a lot of cards, we do have a lot of that in our park. A pool, please. Movie nights.

Rooms for special interests, i.e., woodcarving, sewing, crafts, etc.

Dale

[Ivylog]

"The prime spots will be back in only since they will back up to the lake."

I cannot see out of the back of my DP MH BUT I do have a nice large window up FRONT that I like to look out of. The utilities need to be on the Left side of some lots so I can drive IN and SEE the lake.

OP, have you ever owned a RV? I'm glad the property is already approved.

[TomG2]

While it is not something that you can change, the younger people in this park like being in an interesting area. They seem more likely to take day trips rather than spending all their days in their recliners. The result is that they are more likely to spend ten weeks in an area than ten years. They get "bored" rather quickly and move on.

The thread, "all the usual stuff" is a pretty complete list of what people look for in RV Parks.

[John_Joey]

If you don't want a bunch of drunks then I would also put a limit on the length of stay. Let's say no more then three to six months. IMHO you don't want people living there full time if you want to keep an upscale RV image.

If you want the social to be a real social then put a time limit on that maybe 4-7pm on Fridays then the bar/entertainment closes. Also do not be afraid to throw people out at the first blush of a problem. If you have a nice park at an appropriate price point people will not want to risk being told to leave and never to come back.

Honestly, those sport activities are pretty low on the list. Shuffleboard, volleyball, even pickle ball courts go mostly unused. You'll be selling the sizzle more then the steak (as another posted once stated.) Even the stocked lake will not get used all that much. If you do install those thing I would think about the cost of upkeep. If it is low, then go for it. If they would be using up wasted space then for sure, they will make for a nice brochure layout.

What will appeal is a nice large pool area. Maybe Zumba classes, or water excercise classes. Not many men will show up, but you need something for the wives. Also you will need a nice clubhouse to have holiday suppers at, and anything else that pops up.

The above and my other statements are based on an early retired snowbirds perspective. Once you get up and running I would be very interested in your park. Sounds like a winner to me.

[rbcamping]

This particular property has already been approved for the RV park, I just want to see about making it larger. It will not have problems with neighbors since some of the neighbors are RV parks. I'm planning on putting in fencing along with security cameras. Speed limits shouldn't be an issue if the layout is done correctly. The prime spots will be back in only since they will back up to the lake. I'm planning on a walk full circle around the lake with some fishing docs. I'm also thinking that stocking the lake might be a good ideal. There are restaurants and stores with in a few blocks, walking distance. There are lots of trees on the property and I'm hoping to save as many as possible.

What kind of games are important for people, keep in mind that this is a small park so no tennis courts. I might be able to do a volley ball court. How many people play shuffle board? I see a lot of them here in Florida.

I'm not a drinker, and I don't want a park full of drunks, but I do understand the social aspects of it and think that something in moderation can be done.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

[TomG2]

Nobody can predict what the next generation will want, but it will be different from the potlucks, booze, and happy hours of Grandpa's day. One thing that I have not seen mentioned is safety and security. Simply posting a couple of signs will not get it. People will want good lighting, night vision cameras, patrols, and electronic surveillance. No more Barney Fife on a golf cart going around the park once a night.