Sunkissed Village RV Resort is among the new breed of RV parks and resorts appealing to … [+]
Sunkissed Village RV Resort`
With recreational vehicle dealers across the U.S. avidly marketing the latest towable and motorized RVs to current and would-be RVers, a concurrent trend is taking place.
RV parks across the state of Florida are expanding, and others are being built with the intention of catering to the new motoring enthusiasts. “We anticipate that as many as 3,000 new RV sites could come online in Florida over the next two years as new resorts open and as existing parks complete their expansions,” says Bobby Cornwell, executive director of the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (Florida ARVC).
What populations are sparking the expansion? One group is totally expected. It’s made up of snowbird retirees from the northern U.S. and Canada who flock to the Sunshine State each winter for warmer weather. Most people would be more hard pressed to guess the second group. It’s comprised of younger, telecommuting Northerners who don’t want to wait for retirement to experience wintertime Florida. They want to do it now, and the fact they own RVs and can work remotely allows them to make it happen.
While there’s demand aplenty for RV parks and resorts across the Sunshine State, intense competition exists between the facilities. That means owners and operators of parks and resorts need to keep adding crowd-pleasing amenities to continue attracting the RV owners they seek.
Record RV sales
Florida has long stood as one of the most appealing U.S. destinations for folks heading south for the winter, Cornwell says. “But the growing demand for high-quality RV sites also reflects the record numbers of RV sales that have taken place during the last decade,” he adds. “It’s not just retirees, but younger working people and families seeking an active outdoor lifestyle that are fueling demand for new RV resorts, and more campsites at existing parks.”
This market of younger, family-focused recreational vehicle owners is helping reshape the kind of RV parks being built across the state. While the majority of Florida’s new RV resorts are geared toward retirees traveling in recreational vehicles or park models, some of the newer parks expressly appeal to active lifestyles associated with younger adults. These parks feature zip lines, ATV trails and other active amenities.
While new parks are built, existing ones are adding ever-loftier levels of resort-like upgrades, says Randy Berman, spokesman for Sunbelt RV resorts owner Equity Lifestyle Properties, based in Chicago. “Improvements include clubhouses, dog parks, bathrooms, fitness centers, picnic areas, pickleball courts, shuffleball courts, pools and WiFi,” he reports.
Statewide report
Here is a representative sample of some of the RV parks and resorts across Florida that are benefitting from capital improvements undertaken comparatively recently.
Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort, Palmetto
An active lifestyle resort on Terra Ceia Bay near Bradenton, Fisherman’s Cove has seen more than $1 million spent on enhancements, including a heated pool and spa, fitness center, shuffleboard and bocce ball courts, remodeled clubhouse and organized activities.
Creekside RV Resort, Punta Gorda
Creekside RV Resort‘s second phase, opened in December 2018, expanded the 122-site park situated between Fort Myers and Port Charlotte by an additional 73 sites. Outdoor amenities include a beach, swimming pool and spa, picnic pavilion, bocce ball, shuffleboard courts, driving range and putting green. The big draw is the clubhouse, a sprawling 9,500 square feet in size with a wraparound porch overlooking a lake. It is home to a dance floor, entertainment stage, kitchen, card room, library, and billiards room. Guests can savor organized activities and social events.
Bay Bayou RV Resort, Tampa
Owner Jennings Realty of Evanston, Ill. grew Bay Bayou RV Resort by 53 sites in 2017, even as it prepared to open another resort, Summerfield’s Sunkissed Village RV Resort, in late 2019. The bright prospects for RV parks and resorts across Florida are reflected in the comments of company regional manager Darla Sinnard.
“Demand is very strong for high-quality RV resorts in Florida, which is why Jennings Realty is building new parks and looking for parks to purchase,” she says