Rob Keeble
Member
- Messages
- 12,633
- Location
- GTA Ontario Canada
Hi All, a few days ago after returning from Burning Woods Carol wrote a post re family get togethers.
Well after this past weekend i want to add to this point with a difference.
I have no idea how many of you are "outdoor" types, RV'ers or campers or have visited any of the US State Parks.
But .....after having just done my first trip to Letchworth State Park I thought i would mention what went through my mind here and see what falls out the tree.
I was more than pleasantly impressed i might add and i have been to many Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Parks in Canada and will be writing them soon on some input i have to offer as a citizen that makes use of these facilities.
1) The park was inclusive of all tastes in accommodation. So you can hire a cabin, heck you can hire a house if you like, or you can stay at the Inn. But you can also sleep in a tent (something i gave up last year) , a Motor Home or a trailer as well.
2) Price is really cheap in my view. Too cheap i think. You can get a cabin from $30 thru to $115 per night .
3) There are group sites to be had (which we have here but try to hire one and oh boy i have. ) and even special rates.
4) Better than group sites is the facilities in terms of "community center or the facilities like Shelter buildings for events where should weather turn bad you can get decent protective shelter. Not bad thinking considering weather these days.
5) The place is geared kinda like a resort so in my view it caters to more than the purist naturalist that wishes to do the 24 mile hike. This in my view has to be a good thing in 2013. I would rather see the kids on a bike in the park staying in a cabin than on the couch at home with gameboy in hands. So for me its pragmatic approach to managing a park.
6) Swimming Pool that was huge with all sorts of facilities.
7) Dedicated state park police kitted out with motor launch.
Now i realize they probably are not all kitted to the same extent, as this one , (and i am trying to remove the attraction from the venue and focus on the amenities outside of the "camping thing. But there was a venue where one family held a baby shower at the park and rented one of the venues they have for this kind of occasion.
So the thought occurred to me ......why could we not pick a state park to hold our family get together's.
This would enable a vast array of locations and then need not be hosted at a persons home. It makes the whole accommodation issue way easier. Sure it does not have a shop for all too see but if i recall the BW 2013 we did not live in the shop and when we were its not as if we took Brents shop apart.
I don't know the USA well enough to offer suggestions re how the highways etc intersect versus State parks that are suitable but here is a low cost broad accommodation facility that surely offers lost of alternatives and huge group flexibility.
In this particular case there were also a variety of other accommodations and eateries a couple of minutes outside the park.
So we have venue
Low cost and convenience with as much flex as you desire and the ability to make it a family get away not just for Family Woodworking Members.
Thoughts????
Well after this past weekend i want to add to this point with a difference.
I have no idea how many of you are "outdoor" types, RV'ers or campers or have visited any of the US State Parks.
But .....after having just done my first trip to Letchworth State Park I thought i would mention what went through my mind here and see what falls out the tree.
I was more than pleasantly impressed i might add and i have been to many Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Parks in Canada and will be writing them soon on some input i have to offer as a citizen that makes use of these facilities.
1) The park was inclusive of all tastes in accommodation. So you can hire a cabin, heck you can hire a house if you like, or you can stay at the Inn. But you can also sleep in a tent (something i gave up last year) , a Motor Home or a trailer as well.
2) Price is really cheap in my view. Too cheap i think. You can get a cabin from $30 thru to $115 per night .
3) There are group sites to be had (which we have here but try to hire one and oh boy i have. ) and even special rates.
4) Better than group sites is the facilities in terms of "community center or the facilities like Shelter buildings for events where should weather turn bad you can get decent protective shelter. Not bad thinking considering weather these days.
5) The place is geared kinda like a resort so in my view it caters to more than the purist naturalist that wishes to do the 24 mile hike. This in my view has to be a good thing in 2013. I would rather see the kids on a bike in the park staying in a cabin than on the couch at home with gameboy in hands. So for me its pragmatic approach to managing a park.
6) Swimming Pool that was huge with all sorts of facilities.
7) Dedicated state park police kitted out with motor launch.
Now i realize they probably are not all kitted to the same extent, as this one , (and i am trying to remove the attraction from the venue and focus on the amenities outside of the "camping thing. But there was a venue where one family held a baby shower at the park and rented one of the venues they have for this kind of occasion.
So the thought occurred to me ......why could we not pick a state park to hold our family get together's.
This would enable a vast array of locations and then need not be hosted at a persons home. It makes the whole accommodation issue way easier. Sure it does not have a shop for all too see but if i recall the BW 2013 we did not live in the shop and when we were its not as if we took Brents shop apart.
I don't know the USA well enough to offer suggestions re how the highways etc intersect versus State parks that are suitable but here is a low cost broad accommodation facility that surely offers lost of alternatives and huge group flexibility.
In this particular case there were also a variety of other accommodations and eateries a couple of minutes outside the park.
So we have venue
Low cost and convenience with as much flex as you desire and the ability to make it a family get away not just for Family Woodworking Members.
Thoughts????