DW and I just got back from St. Andrew in PCB and drove over and checked out Grayton Beach. We've done St. George, Anastasia, Henderson Beach and (OMG)Faver-Dykes. Florida State Parks are better than most other State Parks but that doesn't make them a Peach, either. So here's my sorta Rant:
Most SP campgrounds are getting rundown due to lack of maintenance and overuse. There is only X amount of dollars available for the entire maintenance budget per Park and its got to be doled out according to greatest use and need. There are more Day-use folks than RV'ers so areas with heavy Day-use need and deserve more upkeep. I get that. However, when RV'ers spend money locally those dollars have a greater impact because we use and require far less services. A citizen living in PCB pays more in property tax and sales tax dollars than I do during my 2 week stay but I don't use services like schools, Police, etc. So, my local investment is significantly greater than the Average Joe Six Pack that lives there. That's why Tourism dollars are so desirable.
So - the CG gets run down because RV'ers aren't represented enough in total visits; but my contribution to the PCB economy is greater than the average citizen.
Why aren't companies that receive a greater share of the Tourism dollar (restuarants, boat rental, fishing charter, RV repair) working with the local State Parks to update, improve and modernize the Campgrounds? When you think of the Infrastructure impact a 10 story Condo creates versus a 100 site Campground the real value of our Dollars versus the hotel/condo Dollars is extreme. Yes, the hotel/condo crowd is much, much larger than the RV crowd but it costs the city more to handle the Condo'ers.
I think a "Friends of Saint Andrew" organization made up from the businesses we frequent would be a great investment in insuring I contine to visit the PCB area.
Just a thought........
Bob & Carla
Josh & Emily
mostly Lab mix Eryn
Chase is waiting for us at the Bridge
2007 Chevrolet 2500 D/A
2015 Jayco 339 FLQS
