Summer vacation is calling, drawing families outdoors. And for those living in and around Geauga County, the call to go camping can mean never leaving…
Summer vacation is calling, drawing families outdoors. And for those living in and around Geauga County, the call to go camping can mean never leaving the county.
“I enjoy watching people have a good time,” said Don Arnold, owner of Grand River Valley KOA, formerly Heritage Hills Campground, in Thompson, with his wife, Cheryl. “It’s almost an honor they chose us for their sometimes one vacation a year.”
Geauga County offers campgrounds in many of its townships, allowing campers to savor outdoor experiences without devouring travel expenses.
Perry Township firefighters Chris Brubaker and Carmen Tibaldi recently vacationed with their families of young children at Grand River Valley KOA.
“We love it here,” Tibaldi said. “It’s the best place around.”
Both families gathered Wednesday around a picnic table they shared between their two sites before heading out to enjoy more of the sunshine and numerous campground offerings on the 70-acre property.
“There’s a lot of different activities,” Brubaker said. “There’s fun all over.”
Heritage Hills Campground had been around for more than 40 years.
The Arnolds, a military family, originally from Mentor, raised their three children, Brittany, Cody and Taylor, in Chardon and bought the campground four seasons ago. They recently joined the Kampgrounds of America organization, which has three different brands of parks: Journey, Holiday and Resort.
“We moved from Chardon, a town that we loved, when we bought the park,” said Don, who, with his wife, owned Sandusky Speedway for 15 years near Cedar Point.
Grand River Valley KOA has been branded a Holiday Park with rustic and deluxe cabins, patio lots for RVs and amenities, including a heated pool, fishing pond, swimming pond, jump pillow, dog park and wash, hiking trails, and planned weekend activities for children and adults.
“We thought it was a good retirement thing, so we could travel,” Cheryl said, of them buying the campground, which now has 179 campsites from full RV hookups to primitive camping.
Cheryl helps run the general store as Golden Retriever Shiloh welcomes visitors with a wagging tail by the entrance.
Don said they took a park with a great foundation, beautiful landscape and built upon it by adding something new to their booming and growing business. He said many of the sites already rented out for the season.
“We bought it to keep small and retire, but suddenly more people showed up,” Don said, adding he and Cheryl visit other campgrounds across the nation in the off season for more ideas.
New this season is the chapel on the water for church services and weddings, additions to the clubhouse and small pavilion, allowing for parties, reunions and receptions.
A deluxe cabin addition for 2016 gives guests the opportunity to camp, but in style, with full baths, mini kitchens and linens provided. There are four brand new Teepees for rent as well.
“Our park is very family oriented, with many activities and things to get the kids and families outdoors enjoying nature,” Don said. “Our park also caters to those guests who enjoy visiting local amenities this area has to offer such as the wineries, Kirtland, Cleveland’s sports teams, Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and the local Amish community.”
A sign outside the general store lists upcoming weekend activities such as movies at dark at the chapel, yoga, slate painting, a kid’s scavenger hunt and church at the chapel.
“It’s fun, there’s a lot to do,”said Painesville Township’s Katie Naegele, as she paused en route to the pool on a golf cart.
Geauga Park District makes slowing down, relaxing and getting reconnected with nature easy, offering camping at three different parks including Big Creek Park in Chardon Township, Headwaters Park in Huntsburg Township and Chickagami Park in Parkman Township.
“Camping improvements were made to Headwaters Park at the end of last year, so there are now three of our popular lean-tos instead of just one,” said Sandy Ward, the park district’s marketing manager. “Five tent pads were also added.”
Group sites at Chickagami Park are specifically designed for large group camping as well.
“Camping in your Geauga County parks offers a serene experience in a preserved area, proximity to fun outdoor activities like hiking and fishing, varying sizes of tent pads and unique lean-tos to enjoy,” Ward added.
Back at Grand River KOA, Don waved at another group of smiling campers.
“Some come for one or two nights and some, for the entire summer,” Don said. “And some come for a day and then stay for a month.”
Sites can be considered and reservations can be made online for Geauga Park District camping at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org under Make a Reservation.
A complete list of the county’s area campgrounds can be found at Hiker Central.com.
