Parks board studies campground usage

The City Parks Advisory Board gave the nod last week to start planning improvements at Creekside Campground.

The board convened Wednesday, October 29, to review data accumulated during the 2014 camping season, May to September, on usage at Creekside Campground.

After studying the data, the board directed staff to make preliminary plans for improvements to the park, which will be brought back to the board for review and further discussion.

Through the use of a detailed PowerPoint presentation and multiple handouts, Community Development Director Pauline Hardie interpreted the results of a survey conducted at the campground during August by city intern Marcus Arends, and information gleaned from the system used for booking campsite reservations.

The data collected has been analyzed by the number of nights stayed, types of occupants, and revenue generated. There are a total of 25 sites with hook-ups for water, power, and sewer, and 42 non-hook-up sites. That means there were 10,251 nights (number of days in the season times the number of sites - 67) available in the entire campground over the season.

The total number of nights stayed over the five-month period, as shown in the reservation system, was 5,761, July being the most popular month with 1,373 nights stayed, with August right behind at 1,372.

Of the 3,825 nights available in the 25 hook-up sites, only 839 nights were vacant, making for a total 78 percent occupancy rate over five months. September had the highest percentage at 90 percent. In the 47 non-hook-up sites there were 6,426 nights available with 3,797 nights that were vacant for a 41 percent occupancy rate. August was the highest, at 51 percent.

Fifty-five percent of the nights stayed were recreational vehicles of all types, 19 percent tents, and 26 percent "other," meaning there was no indication of the type of occupant. The "other" percentage decreased and the other two increased over the summer as reporting became more accurate.

In the analysis of nights stayed at hook-up sites by category of camper, the largest group was trailers, followed by Class A motorhomes (big rigs), then fifth-wheel (hooks in the back of a truck), and Class C motorhomes (camper van or camper with bed over the cab). In the non-hook-up sites, 37 percent were tent campers, 37 percent were RVs of all kinds, and 26 percent were "other" (not identified).

The total income from the campground was $133,704, up about 50 percent over 2013.

The 2014 fees ran from $15 per night for tent and non-hook-up RV sites to $35 per night for 30-amp full-hook-up RV sites and $40 per night for 50-amp full-hook-up RV sites.

Following a review of the existing Parks Master Plan in June and a site visit to Creekside by the advisory board in July, and getting input from the camp hosts and campers, a list of suggestions was generated of what needs to be improved, added, or eliminated at the campground.

The number-one request from visitors was to have Wi-Fi access available in the park, and number two was for pickle-ball courts within the campground.

City Manager Andrew Gorayeb mentioned that the United States tennis Association provides grants for the construction of tennis and pickle-ball courts, a possible funding source for courts.

Hardie was directed to develop a plan with a concept drawing for the campground that reflects what the data shows and to consider the following items:

• Improve traffic circulation within the campground, widen roads used by larger vehicles, eliminating sharp turning angles, and consider having both an entrance to and exit from the campground.

• To mitigate issue of noise from the highway, consider a berm and landscape screening on the north side of the campground.

• Convert some non-hook-up sites to full-hook-up sites to eliminate the need for generators that also contribute to the noise both within and across from the campground.

• Remove 1952 restroom facilities and replace with new restrooms with increased number of showers and toilets.

• Possible outdoor sink station with running water for tents.

• Improve signage and remove all signs from trees.

• Improve accessibility and location of dump station.

• Pullout area for guests when they are checking in and out that won't impede traffic flow.

• Additional landscaping within the campground for beautification and privacy.

• Designate specific tent areas, with parking located nearby.

• Bollard lighting needed on Whychus Creek trail.

The City has applied for, and has a good chance of receiving, an $8,300 grant from Cycle Oregon for the construction of accessible paths in Village Green Park between the restrooms, picnic shelter, and play

structure.

Two new members of the board were announced, as Dixie Eckford replaces outgoing member Larry Nelson, and Rory Petterson is the new high school student representative for this school

year.

Regular monthly meetings of the Parks Advisory Board will be held the first Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at City Hall. The next meeting is Wednesday, November 5. All meetings are open to the public.