Why there isn't more State RV Parks. Ranger Says!

[Chuck___]

We are staying at the Silvercreek State Campground 25 miles east of Salem, Oregon.
We are amazed that the campground is full this time of the yeaar. Talked the Ranger and he open are eyes.

Back in the 30's when the Silvercreek Falls State Park built the lodge they throught that they would only have a maximum of 250,000 visitor per year. Last year the park had 1.5 million visitors. The Ranger advised anyone wanting to stay at the park they better have reservation 9 months in advance to insure a spot.

Asked the Ranger why the government/state hasn't built more parks because of the great demand? Back in the day when RV parks and such no one thought of the items needed now.

1. If the State has to purchase the property from a private owner it is a massive layout.
2. Were can the government put a park to have the least impact to the area?
3. With the newer RV's most people are requesting 50 amp electrical hook ups. That can be a massive amount of power needed.
4. If the park is by a creek; how does the park system handle a gas or oil leak coming from a RV accident? This isn't the old day were you don't have to think about the area drinking water supply.
5. Sewage system sometimes have to have a pumping system in order to pump to a large holding tank and grinding system sometimes is needed also.
6. How about black top or your basic road around the park.

For a 40 site RV park the basic layout is approximately 1 million dollars. I truly believe that would be on the low side.

The park Ranger said that think God the Park System gets a lot of volunteers to help with general maintenance and small projects to off set the cost of running each park.
Ater the park is up and running the general maintenance cost are relatively low.

I have to say; plan early "reservations"; hopefully we all can find a way to help support are park systems and thank God we all have one of the best recreational items in the good old USA.

PS: Thanks to all the Men & Women who served and are severing the in the armed service. Without them we would never have the change to enjoy this great country. I didn't serve but my folks instilled in me to give thanks to all the service people and would have kicked my '''''''''' if I didn't stand up, put my hand over my heart at any event to give thanks to all the past and future true hero's!

[azdryheat]

This is why the government shouldn't be in charge of the parks. Keep in mind that the government doesn't have to buy any new land for a park because the government already owns most all of the land anyway, at least out west. A private builder could easily develop any size park we want and equip it any way we want and not have cost overruns, etc. The same private builder could easily upgrade any of the existing parks to accommodate today's RV's. Just look at all of the private rv parks and resorts already in existence.

What the rangers are saying is a bunch of bull. They don't want to develop new parks or rejuvenate older parks. Too much work for them and they didn't take on the ranger job to do any work.

[rhagfo]

Donn, yes money’s is going to new Parks, but also improvements to existing parks. I have noticed that Nahalem Bay upgraded the electric services to 50 amps in at least
A, B, and C loops. Stub’s is a nice park with all 50 amp services and 85 full hookups,
17 horse camp full hookup, 10 walk-in tent sites, and about 24 hike in tent sites. It is also almost dead center on the Banks Vernonia trail.

[D_E_Bishop]

We have been camping in Oregon's lovely parks for over 50 years and we are currently in a Douglas County Park. For us $34 is REALLY CHEAP. We live in So. Cal. and we travel around the entire Country, no where is less expensive than OR campgrounds. We had a little cottage in Yachats and we know where the money that subsidises the campgrounds comes from. Our favorite parks are places like Seaside, we don't really need hookups for the two to five days we usually stay in one place. We would gladly pay a reasonable sure charge for being from out of state, it would be acceptable to pay a couple bucks a day.

Our favorite campgrounds in CA. Is $50 per night for a dry site on the beach. The big problem staying there is that it's nearly impossible to get a reservation. A virtual parking lot site is $30 a night.

We don't get here every year but we truely enjoy the camping that you have and envy you most of the time.

The wind tonight is not really enjoyable, but it beats the L. A. freeways.

[rhagfo]

rr2254545 wrote:
Yep and I got an e-mail this morning for Oregon that park fees are going up $2 the first of November - but that still makes them some of the better buys in the county - we go to Oregon often as we used to live on the coast in Lincoln City
I am booked in a full hookup site next June at Fort Stevens for $32 but now it might be $34

If booked before November 1st current price is honored, is my understanding.

[rr2254545]

Yep and I got an e-mail this morning for Oregon that park fees are going up $2 the first of November - but that still makes them some of the better buys in the county - we go to Oregon often as we used to live on the coast in Lincoln City
I am booked in a full hookup site next June at Fort Stevens for $32 but now it might be $34

[donn0128]

Chuck,
As a long time camp host I have been around this for a while. What has happened is managment for the last 10 years or so has focused on building new parks. Stubb Stewart, Bates, and the big new one on the John Day river a hundred miles from no where. This you as an average joe camper wont get from the rangers, but I have gotten that from managers. Even the existing parks would love to expand, but sadly to do so means that they have to upgrade the entire park, not just any new sites. Well you can see the problem?

[Lwiddis]

Are you writing to and talking with your current Oregon state representatives to remedy this issue? Have you examined the OR park budget regarding additional facilities? And commented? Will you be supporting candidates for your legislative districts who want additional parks?