How to Build an RV Park in 100 (Not So) Easy Steps

I may be exaggerating with that title but probably not.  As most of our readers know, we lost much of our RV Park to the storms of May 25, 2013.  A deluge of monstrous proportions tore out metal pipes that were buried 4 feet deep and holding our utility boxes.  The septic system was completely stuffed with gravel and silt from our "beloved" Medio Creek.  The site pads were washed completely away, trees were strewn all around and the well shed was demolished and floated down the new path made by the swelling creek.  Most all the water connections were ripped off at the ground level.  Since photos of all this have been posted already and I want to make this an upbeat post, I will not be posting them again.

You can imagine our downheartedness as we surveyed the devastation over the course of the next week.  Our hearts were heavy too, for our extended stay visitors who had to evacuate and any property damage they incurred.  Thankfully no injury or loss of life occurred.

A Silver Lining
But, as with many circumstances, there's something positive that emerges.  "What!" you say.  "What good could possibly result from all of that?"


Let me explain.  Our little San Antonio RV Park was built in steps beginning in 1973.  If you've been around that long, you know that RV's back then were 30' at most and on average about 24' long.  Slide outs had not yet come into use and the full time RV lifestyle was not very popular.  Most of our RV guests were weekend visitors or families on summer vacations.  Although snow birds did make San Antonio a destination or at least a stopping place to points further south, the phenomena of "Winter Texans" was still a new concept.  So you can imagine that our parks needs included much smaller sites, low powered amperage and slender roads.  Today, an average RV park has to have at least 30 and more often 50 amp electricity, 70' long+ sites, WiFi service, etc, etc.  This calamity has forced us to rebuild and while we're at it, improve our design AND build where nature cannot be so cruel. 

Slow But Steady Progress
It has already been a month and things have moved pretty slowly at first because of permitting and licensing our new utilities (can't rush City Hall.)  But Mark and I are so excited to have a new design on paper, engineers on the payroll and contractors just waiting for the permits to come through.  Additionally, we are keeping parts of the original RV Park by the Creek as well, the areas less prone to heavy storm damage.  Mark has already gotten it into working order as of today and we are now taking reservations for the original Creekside RV sites.  Beginning with this post I'll be adding photos as we progress - to mark updates of the new project.  

So, here goes:

Cutting fallen and broken tree limbs perched in the tractor bucket

Filling holes and leveling the roads

Making new RV Pads

Making Room for new buildings

Burning one of many piles of storm debris and trees

Tearing down damaged buildings

Site for the new proposed RV area

Well, It's a beginning.  We are anxious to get back into things and Mark had just today finished getting the original RV area by the Creekside back in operating order.  Utilities are replaced and all that awaits is some landscaping.  While writing this post we got our first RVer since the sites are operational.  We look forward to welcoming back our loyal friends.  Reservations are being taken but will be on a limited basis till the new RV area is completed.  My best estimate for that is November and I am taking reservations for dates in November and forward.  Don't hesitate to call for reservations or reserve online. 

Teri Blaschke is the RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV family.  Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV and our RV Country Daily Magazine and don't forget to Say hello to the voice of Hidden Valley