We're still looking into the possibilities.  We had over 130 responses to our survey, so there is definitely some interest.  Based on several questions, I'm working on writing "our vision" of what a Co-Op would look like.

In the meantime, I've been checking on some property and trying to figure out the ease or difficulty of getting zoning, utilities, and feasibility studies.  So, on one hand, we're still trying to figure out an agreeable concept and, on the other hand, we're working on the possible acquisition of a specific piece of property.

Stay tuned.  :) 

Flyone,

That's a question a few people have asked.  It might be a far less expensive endeavor to take that approach.  However, we're not looking at being involved in a Co-Op just for the sake of creating an inexpensive Co-Op with slightly better spaced sites.  In all of our travels, we've come across a few RV parks that we might consider a good commercial investment, but I don't think we've seen a park yet that, even with the removal of several sites, would match our "vision" of a long-term, non-profit, Co-Op RV park.

We're looking at creating something unique assuming enough others have the same vision.  We're looking at extraordinary site spacing with the retention of natural vegetation as buffers between sites coupled with full hook-ups and other amenities.  We're thinking the best of state park campgrounds coupled with the best features of a commercial RV park.  Whereas many RV parks are built with 10 - 20 sites per acre, we're thinking more like 3 - 5 sites per acre.

We're thinking, and we could be very wrong, that there would be a lot of demand for what we have in mind.  It certainly wouldn't be the least expensive option for RV living, but it would provide great value for those that have a similar concept in mind.  In other words, we're looking at building an RV community that no commercial, for-profit RV park owner in their right mind would ever build, but one in which the members could enjoy RV sites that are better and less expensive than the tightly spaced sites sold in deeded lot communities.

Is purchasing an existing RV park out of the question?  No, but we wouldn't be as enthusiastic about it, and we'd prefer to explore the feasibility of developing our own concept first.  Soon, we'll be posting somewhere more details of our overall vision which will likely scare some folks off, but which might also increase the interest of those "on the fence".  Of course, our vision/concept doesn't mean squat if it doesn't match up with enough potential members.  :) 

 

Bill,

I find very few similarities between Hearthside Grove and what we envision.  I certainly don't want to give the impression that we are considering anything near that luxurious, expensive, or financially exclusive.

As for the sites, we're thinking more along the lines of the left photo below rather than the right photo (Hearthside Grove).  Both photos have the same number of sites.

 

 

I think I know what you are saying regarding overall concept (on a much, much smaller budget) but, again, I don't want to give anyone the wrong impression.  :)

I find the circular layout with common area in the middle to be a pretty compelling design. It has lots of advantages if you are not trying to optimize sites. . We had intended to lay out our condo park that way, were we ever to develop it. It also allows you to put in smaller common areas structures like large gazebos, etc in the middle of the circle. "Neighborhood" gathering areas, etc.

The issue with the sparse layout is cost. Not of the lots themselves. That is the smaller cost. The costs really come about from the common buildings costs, pool, etc. being amortized across a small number of sites. But done properly I still think that you could get a buyin lot cost of around 50K and have a really nice place. If the land is not too expensive.

My two cents...we would love to find out about it...what we found, again because we were not interested in such tight spaces, was a development called Ridgebrook of Blue Ridge...40 lots, all 1.5-2 acres, however, 30 for log homes, 10 zoned for RV's....at least they left it very natural