Topsail Hill Sites Being Repaired??

[Dutch_Oven_Man]

I noticed April 15, 16 and 17th has quite a few sites "x'd" out and are unavailable to rent. They look to be all of the sites that have the broken up concrete, sites 57-90.

I wonder if they are blocking out those dates for repairs? I sure hope so, you just about break a leg on some of those sites, and the road is almost washed out.

[wbwood]

fla-gypsy wrote:

soren wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

Well accept you totally ignored the fact that St Andrews draws many more visitors each year and is only 30+ miles away and is allowed to fall into disrepair while Topsail spends millions each year on "improvements" like a new sign, entrance, etc. Having spent time the last few years at many state parks in Florida it is quite obvious some connected politician is influential in how state park infrastructure money is dolled out to their favorite park.

Sorry, but I'm not buying it. I have stayed there recently, and spent a decades long career as a contractor. I'm well aware of what "spending millions" looks like, having done it many times. The park is fairly well maintained, but in now way are there any signs of extravagance, particularly millions of dollars wasted.
finally, I did indeed ignore your issue with St. Andrews, and the condition of a hundred other facilities in the system, since it has nothing to do with this conversation.

You have a serious chip on your shoulder, and firmly believe that money is being wasted on a profitable, and popular park. I'm sure all the information that you base your "beliefs" on is a matter of public record. Why not dig up the facts and post them? Might take a while, since your search for the "wasted millions at Topsail"" might be a long one.

You ignored it because you have no answer and as a lifelong resident of the state I do indeed know what I am saying and have frequented more state parks in Florida than the average citizen or visitor. The inequity is quite clear.

fla-gypsy, I have noticed over time that your comments about Topsail have been unfavorable. If I remember correctly, I think you kind of mentioned that you don't care for it because it's not what you consider a true state park with it's amenities. Maybe I am thinking of someone else, but I think it was you.

St Andrews has nearly 40 more campsites than Topsail. St Andrews is also $14/night cheaper. Take into consideration the boat ramp, pier and proximity to Panama City Beach in comparison of Topsail to Destin, then there is a reason St Andrews gets more visitors. But, as someone who is 600 miles away, whenever I make reservations for Topsail, I have slim pickings. We were there last year for my daughters spring break in April (end of April). I made reservations in November prior to it. There were only about 3 or 4 sites available, but not for the whole week. We ended up having to break it up between there and Grayton. We did not want to be at St Andrews. But St Andrews had plenty of spaces open as I remember. So when you look at visitors for the park, they are not breaking it down for campers. Thats only people who come into the park. Topsail has way nicer sites. Paved, landscaping, pool, and many other amenities that St Andrew does not. Upkeep of it is gonna cost more at Topsail and more than likely why they charge more.

[jaycocamprs]

I don't have a dog in the fight, as I'm not a Florida resident. But if Topsail Hill is bringing in money, and it would appear that it is. They should spend some of that money there. You just got to keep the cash cow fat. And there is a large difference between making money from tourists, and having lots of locals come bike and spend time at the beach. Topsail Hill brings in tourist dollars, they charge more and it seems to stay full. And I’d bet very few visitors to Topsail Hill are Florida residents.
As for the politics of why this place gets money and the next doesn't, I most likely agree with you. Someone doesn't like "X" place and they get the shaft.

[fla-gypsy]

soren wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

Well accept you totally ignored the fact that St Andrews draws many more visitors each year and is only 30+ miles away and is allowed to fall into disrepair while Topsail spends millions each year on "improvements" like a new sign, entrance, etc. Having spent time the last few years at many state parks in Florida it is quite obvious some connected politician is influential in how state park infrastructure money is dolled out to their favorite park.

Sorry, but I'm not buying it. I have stayed there recently, and spent a decades long career as a contractor. I'm well aware of what "spending millions" looks like, having done it many times. The park is fairly well maintained, but in now way are there any signs of extravagance, particularly millions of dollars wasted.
finally, I did indeed ignore your issue with St. Andrews, and the condition of a hundred other facilities in the system, since it has nothing to do with this conversation.

You have a serious chip on your shoulder, and firmly believe that money is being wasted on a profitable, and popular park. I'm sure all the information that you base your "beliefs" on is a matter of public record. Why not dig up the facts and post them? Might take a while, since your search for the "wasted millions at Topsail"" might be a long one.

You ignored it because you have no answer and as a lifelong resident of the state I do indeed know what I am saying and have frequented more state parks in Florida than the average citizen or visitor. The inequity is quite clear.

[soren]

fla-gypsy wrote:

Well accept you totally ignored the fact that St Andrews draws many more visitors each year and is only 30+ miles away and is allowed to fall into disrepair while Topsail spends millions each year on "improvements" like a new sign, entrance, etc. Having spent time the last few years at many state parks in Florida it is quite obvious some connected politician is influential in how state park infrastructure money is dolled out to their favorite park.

Sorry, but I'm not buying it. I have stayed there recently, and spent a decades long career as a contractor. I'm well aware of what "spending millions" looks like, having done it many times. The park is fairly well maintained, but in now way are there any signs of extravagance, particularly millions of dollars wasted.
finally, I did indeed ignore your issue with St. Andrews, and the condition of a hundred other facilities in the system, since it has nothing to do with this conversation.

You have a serious chip on your shoulder, and firmly believe that money is being wasted on a profitable, and popular park. I'm sure all the information that you base your "beliefs" on is a matter of public record. Why not dig up the facts and post them? Might take a while, since your search for the "wasted millions at Topsail"" might be a long one.

[2012Coleman]

Maybe they will use the money for proper storm water drainage, and maybe increase the space between sites. This place looks like an RV parking lot to me.

[Duck]

If the state parks are falling into disrepair then maybe they need to raise the fees on all state parks. Of course that is if the monies collected are used to repair that state park.
Don

[fla-gypsy]

soren wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:

Dutch Oven Man wrote:
Original poster here...lot's of interesting discussion, but no answer to my question. Anyway, I did find something interesting today in the paper from the head of Florida Parks (or something like that) Jon Steverson

"He, Steverson, referred to Topsail Hill, a beachfront state park near Destin, as "one of my top money-makers." With $2.7 million in annual revenue, the park is 219 percent self sustaining...


I guess you could say they spend the money where the money is being spent?? Sounds reasonable to me.

Thats because they charge twice the regular state park rate and no other reason. I made my original observation about funding from many years of watching this go down. They dump millions into Topsail yearly and let St Andrews just down the coastline rot away when it has far more visitors each year. Topsail is the favored park and some politicians "pet" park for no good reason. As for there being no other state parks in Florida like it, it's a good thing but there are plenty of Florida State park campgrounds that have FHU sites and have been refurbished in the last 10 years and far exceed the expeience that can be had at Topsail.

Interesting mix of opinion, and to be charitable an "odd" perspective on how business works. Topsail is one of the most successful and popular state parks in the system. It has a fantastic ROI. The state is being responsible by spending wisely, and devoting some of the revenue stream to repairing the challenging and substandard infrastructure. As for charging twice as much? A quick check of rvparkreviews.com shows the two closest state parks show rates of $30-$33, and private CGs are anywhere from $60-$114.

So the park is typically full, the rates are low compared to the competition, and the operation is a real money maker for the state........ sounds horrible...........:R

Well accept you totally ignored the fact that St Andrews draws many more visitors each year and is only 30+ miles away and is allowed to fall into disrepair while Topsail spends millions each year on "improvements" like a new sign, entrance, etc. Having spent time the last few years at many state parks in Florida it is quite obvious some connected politician is influential in how state park infrastructure money is dolled out to their favorite park.

[soren]

fla-gypsy wrote:

Dutch Oven Man wrote:
Original poster here...lot's of interesting discussion, but no answer to my question. Anyway, I did find something interesting today in the paper from the head of Florida Parks (or something like that) Jon Steverson

"He, Steverson, referred to Topsail Hill, a beachfront state park near Destin, as "one of my top money-makers." With $2.7 million in annual revenue, the park is 219 percent self sustaining...


I guess you could say they spend the money where the money is being spent?? Sounds reasonable to me.

Thats because they charge twice the regular state park rate and no other reason. I made my original observation about funding from many years of watching this go down. They dump millions into Topsail yearly and let St Andrews just down the coastline rot away when it has far more visitors each year. Topsail is the favored park and some politicians "pet" park for no good reason. As for there being no other state parks in Florida like it, it's a good thing but there are plenty of Florida State park campgrounds that have FHU sites and have been refurbished in the last 10 years and far exceed the expeience that can be had at Topsail.

Interesting mix of opinion, and to be charitable an "odd" perspective on how business works. Topsail is one of the most successful and popular state parks in the system. It has a fantastic ROI. The state is being responsible by spending wisely, and devoting some of the revenue stream to repairing the challenging and substandard infrastructure. As for charging twice as much? A quick check of rvparkreviews.com shows the two closest state parks show rates of $30-$33, and private CGs are anywhere from $60-$114.

So the park is typically full, the rates are low compared to the competition, and the operation is a real money maker for the state........ sounds horrible...........:R

[fla-gypsy]

Dutch Oven Man wrote:
Original poster here...lot's of interesting discussion, but no answer to my question. Anyway, I did find something interesting today in the paper from the head of Florida Parks (or something like that) Jon Steverson

"He, Steverson, referred to Topsail Hill, a beachfront state park near Destin, as "one of my top money-makers." With $2.7 million in annual revenue, the park is 219 percent self sustaining...


I guess you could say they spend the money where the money is being spent?? Sounds reasonable to me.

Thats because they charge twice the regular state park rate and no other reason. I made my original observation about funding from many years of watching this go down. They dump millions into Topsail yearly and let St Andrews just down the coastline rot away when it has far more visitors each year. Topsail is the favored park and some politicians "pet" park for no good reason. As for there being no other state parks in Florida like it, it's a good thing but there are plenty of Florida State park campgrounds that have FHU sites and have been refurbished in the last 10 years and far exceed the expeience that can be had at Topsail.

[Dutch_Oven_Man]

Original poster here...lot's of interesting discussion, but no answer to my question. Anyway, I did find something interesting today in the paper from the head of Florida Parks (or something like that) Jon Steverson

"He, Steverson, referred to Topsail Hill, a beachfront state park near Destin, as "one of my top money-makers." With $2.7 million in annual revenue, the park is 219 percent self sustaining...


I guess you could say they spend the money where the money is being spent?? Sounds reasonable to me.

[pasolovers]

Dog Folks wrote:
To brag a little more: The Florida State park system has won the best state park in the nation award, THREE times.

No other state park system has even won twice.

The system motto is "The Real Florida" and everyone works hard to meet that goal.

Agree 100%

[pasolovers]

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28251387/gotomsg/28253781.cfm#28253781

Agree 100% w/dogfolks

[wbwood]

Need to correct myself...I kept saying upper peninsula and meant the panhandle...my bad...

[Dog_Folks]

As you mentioned, padredw, Texas state parks are not too shabby either.

Palo Duro and Copper Breaks to name a few. Outstanding.