The demand for RV parks and campgrounds is rising among younger generations and it doesn’t seem to fade away anytime soon.
Some reports have shown that at least one million households started camping last year, out of which 44 percent were millennials. Hence, RV park owners are constantly looking for ways to transform their sites that best suit the needs of new clientele while improving profits.
That’s why I thought it’d be a good idea to curate a short guide on how RV owners can go about the process with the help of different professionals.
Should you hire professionals for the job?
Absolutely yes! Whether you’re building a new RV park and campground or changing the layout of the existing area, there will be a lot of work involved at each step of the process.
One of the first things that RV park and campground owners should do is get the land surveyed. And no, this is not a DIY job. By hiring a landscape architect, you will get a precise understanding of the key features of, well -the landscape.
The process will start with a site inventory, which is a list of the features (both natural and artificial) currently present in the area and a detailed analysis. In the case of the latter, landscape architects will consider everything, including the soil, climate, vegetation, drainage and adjoining lots.
Both these steps are essential, as they will help determine how to plan the rest of the layout so as to use all the features to extract optimum benefit. For example, preserving naturally shaded areas, so you avoid the cost of creating an artificial shade later down the line. Other benefits of this stage can include finding optimal locations for secondary transportation routes for pedestrians and cyclists or influence the design of recreation areas.
Likewise, the site analysis will help understand any potential faults or hindrances that may crop up later during the construction stage. This will save you from spending for repair work later, especially when the park becomes operational.
At the same time, knowing the features will help designers plan the overall layout for proper implementation during the construction stage. Since the essence of RV parks and campgrounds is to promote community relationships, you may include dedicated spaces for larger gatherings or activities to do with a family unit.
What else can you include in the design?
You may think of hundreds of features to include in the design while building or renovating an RV park. However, not everything will be feasible in the long run.
Here again, you should seek the help of an RV park and campground consultant to gain insight into the key features that will fit your budget and fetch optimum Return on Investment [ROI]. I have listed some of the main features that will help transform your RV park for good.
1. Showers and restrooms
Now, I know that a lot of RV trailers are equipped with some type of makeshift shower or restroom, but that doesn’t mean people wouldn’t want better facilities. Many RV campers will consider halting at an RV park for longer if it has proper bathrooms and showers.
But instead of installing a basic setup, you may consider building hot showers, especially for the colder months. And this will require proper drainage and power supply amenities.
If you plan to build a bathroom, or shower (or both), you should install opaque walls, a roof and a lockable door at the very minimum to take care of the privacy of campers. Plus, arrangements should be made to clean them on a regular schedule.
2. Natural buffers
Perhaps, one of the best ways to utilize the greenery (large trees, in particular) in the RV park is to turn them into multi-purpose fixtures. For instance, you may rent out hammocks to hang on the branches to serve as temporary beds. Other than that, you can use them as natural “space breakers” between the vehicles.
Depending on the overall layout of the area, you can always plant more trees to use them how you want. Look for varieties that survive harsh weather conditions without requiring much maintenance so that you don’t have to invest a lot of time and effort to nurture them.
3. WiFi
There’s no denying that this is the era of online connectivity, and there’s no reason why RV parks and campgrounds should be left out! You do not have to invest in a very elaborate setup to offer blazing fast internet speed; a stable WiFi connection with a good upload/download speed can suffice.
In this regard, I’d suggest placing the router (or similar access point) in the center of the campground, where it will have maximum unobstructed reach. Beyond that, position WiFi extenders throughout the site strategically to help boost connectivity.
4. Food and water
Food and water are among the most basic and necessary amenities that RV parks and campgrounds can provide.
Depending on the available space, resources, and of course, budget, you can either build a kitchen or hire food trucks, which will operate at specific times of the day. Apart from that, you can arrange for DIY cooking spots.
Similarly, you can install taps, spigots, or hoses to provide clean drinking water to campers. This is especially required if the campsite is located in a remote area with no convenience store or supermarket in the vicinity. However, keep adequate waste bins to keep the site clean at all times.
Summing it up
When it comes to designing an RV park and campground, there’s no “one-style-fits-all” policy. What works for others may not work for you, and vice versa. Hence, it becomes extremely important to identify the features that will enhance the appeal of the space.
Your landscape architect and RV park consultant will definitely help maximize the utility of the area while minimizing obstacles and risks. Make sure you dedicate sufficient time to hire only the best professionals.
