Its the best kept secret in Lompoc --- one of the jewels of the park
system --- the River Park RV campground.
This
picturesque campground lies against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez
River on the west and active agricultural fields to the east. The
adjacent main park features sheltered group barbecue areas, individual
picnic areas, a fitness trail, a small lake (and you can fish), sand
volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and other
park amenities.
So
what makes this small 34 space campground so attractive to campers?
"It's safe, clean, affordable, and you have full utility hookups,"
stated Cindy McCall, the City's Parks & Urban Forestry Manager.
"And, its really beautiful. If somebody dropped you in the middle
of that park, you would never guess you were so close to an urbanized
area," she added.
The
popularity of the River Park RV campground continues to grow as the
campground attracted a record 8,600 campers in 2002, generating over
$130,000 in revenues. Campers come from all over the country --- for
a variety of reasons --- as documented by the registration receipts.
A look at some of the visitors in December 2002 revealed travelers
from Alaska, Michigan, and Idaho. Closer to home, a lot of people
from the urbanized LA area just want a quiet weekend getaway place;
many campers are just passing through as part of a scenic Highway
1 vacation trip; some campers use the park as a home base while participating
in local youth sporting events or enjoying local festivals; and of
course, many campers are simply visiting family or friends in the
Lompoc Valley.
In part, what creates a safety net for the park is the resident Park
Ranger --- a full-time employee of the City. The campground is also
monitored by two campground "hosts" --- that exchange a
free campsite for duties performed in the campground area. The campground
hosts monitor campers as they come and go; distribute park information;
monitor restrooms, showers, and gates; and keep the campground clean
of debris The campground is also patrolled by the Lompoc Police Department
and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff.
The
campground also benefits from the ongoing volunteer efforts of Jack
and Marianne Churchman --- the "unofficial" campground hosts.
Since 1988, the couple have spent 15 to 20 hours a week in the campground
watering the trees and shrubs, and performing a variety of general
landscaping duties. "I enjoy the country atmosphere that River
Park provides," stated Marianne, "I like doing outdoor work
... my work here gives me a lot of satisfaction."
Since 1994, the RV camping fee for utility hookups has been $15 per
day. While some of the other ancillary costs for using the campground
have increased over the years --- the basic fee of $15 has remained
the same. The trend of increased camper activity has grown in recent
years as well with 7,900 campers ($119,000) in 2001; 6,600 campers
($100,000) in 2000; and 6,200 campers ($93,000) in 1999. Contrast
those numbers to the 2,800 campers that visited the campground the
first year the campground opened in 1988.
"It's great that the campground provides a much needed service
in the Lompoc Valley and that it's a self-sufficient operation,"
added Vince Elizondo, the Director of Parks & Recreation for the
City. The revenue generated in the campground pays for the salary
of the resident Park Ranger; pays for the operational costs of the
campground; and pays for the annual debt service on the campground
(a loan from the City's general fund that financed the original construction
of the campground).
"A
secondary benefit of the public campground is the economic impact
of all of these campers staying in Lompoc ..." said Mr. Elizondo,
" ... these campers buy gasoline, groceries, and eat in local
food establishments. It's great for the economy. It's really somewhat
unusual we got into this business. Typically you see RV parks or campgrounds
operated by Counties, States, National Parks, or private enterprise
--- but not Cities. I'm glad we are in the business and hopefully
we can expand the campground someday. The campground is what is allowing
us to have a much needed City Park Ranger program."
River
Park, established in 1975, consists of 45 developed acres and is a
linear park which lies adjacent to the river on the eastern boundary
of the City of Lompoc. The only entrance into this regional park is
located just east of Robinson Bridge on Highway 246 and Sweeney Road.
The campground is less than one mile drive from historic Highway 1.
Campers
can stay in the campground for 14 days in any one 30 day period during
the summer months of May 1 to September 30. During the non-summer
months of October 1 through April 30, campers can stay in the park
30 days in any one 45 day period.
For
more information regarding the River Park RV campground, please call
(805) 875-8100 or (805) 875-8034.
