Bridgeport votes to join Good Sam RV Parks network

BRIDGEPORT – Acting on a recommendation from RV park hosts Sue and Randy Stanley the Bridgeport City Council voted to become one of the more than 2,000 Good Sam Club RV parks scattered across the U.S. and Canada serving more than 2.5 million members.

Sue Stanley spoke before the regular monthly meeting of the council last Wednesday, Oct. 19, prior to the hosts taking leave of their park duties until next spring. Stanley made a compelling case for Bridgeport to become a destination point rather than a layover for travelers.

RV parks must meet a Good Sam minimum standard for services and appearance based on a rating system that evaluates facilities, background, and appeal. Compared against the minimum rating of 5-7-5 the city’s Marina Park as is scores 6.5 (facilities), 9 (background), and 7 (appeal). Conkin Landing is 6.5, 10, and 8. Stanley said that Bridgeport’s scores can go even higher with a little more time and money invested in the two facilities.

“We can become a Good Sam Park, now,” Stanley said.

The annual fee per park is $895 that includes a free reservations software system that Stanley said is far superior to what she uses now for bookings at both parks.

“Over the past four years our current reservation software has cost the city $7,674,” said Stanley. “That’s an average of $1,918.50 a year without any marketing or advertising. If you do the math, Good Sam is the only way to go.”

Stanley said one obstacle to a higher rating is excessive cruising on a three-block strip of Jefferson from Seventh to Tenth streets paralleling Marina Park. She suggested converting that strip to an entrance only and block access to cruisers to improve park security. Future improvements to consider is a laundry room with a lending library, both highly rated additions.

Stanley recited the surrounding attractions for destination visitors including:

• Seven nearby golf courses including Gamble Sands, rated No. 1 in the state according to washingtongolf.com.

• Brewster has fishing tournaments and the Fourth of July celebration.

• Pateros has hydro races and Apple Pie Jamboree.

• Omak has the Stampede.

• Lake Chelan has water sports and sight-seeing tours.

• There are wineries and cider houses to visit.

• Fishing and hunting seasons are drawing visitors. Bridgeport RV occupancy by hunters jumped from 19 percent last year to 35 percent this year.

During the July-August fishing season the parks were 96 percent full and 90-95 percent full during Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Labor Day weekends,

“We need to fill those shoulder months of May-June and September-October,” Stanley said.

One way she suggested to do that is to allow campers to bring their dogs. Chelan recently passed a city code banning dogs from city RV parks from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, Stanley said.

“Everybody wants to bring their dog in their RV,” said Stanley. “that’s why they’re not staying in a motel, because they want to bring their dog. We’re getting that business.”

With the Canadian border now open Stanley said the parks are seeing an increase in travelers stopping in on their way south and expects more business next April when they return north.

Last May the Douglas PUD completed the one-way half-mile ADA accessible Prickly Pear Trail that follows the river between Conklin RV and the Marina. Stanley said that is well-used.

The hosts planted 14 burning bushes lining Second Street and part of Columbia Avenue at Conklin Landing that will eventually make an effective privacy hedge.