Mr. Robert Munson
Master Plan Steering Committee
Dear Mr. Munson:
It has come to our attention that there is local opposition to the idea of including cabin and campground provisions in the master plan for this State Park site. The purpose of this letter is to communicate to you the Virginia Association For Parks’ support and rationale for including such provisions in the master plan that will guide the future development of this site.
We understand the initial reaction of the local property owners. It is perfectly natural for the thought of an increased local inventory of overnight accommodations to make existing owners nervous because they initially equate any increase in inventory, regardless of provider, to mean increased competition for them. Thus, they initially perceive any such proposal as “negative”.
Conversely, we believe that historical experience across the State Park System has proven just the opposite. Addition of overnight accommodations at State Parks has consistently made local economies stronger, including benefits for those who offer other accommodations. Thus, based on this historical experience, we view the adding of State Park overnight accommodations to be “positive” for all concerned.
Increased overnight accommodations will result in increased tourism. The State Park System policy is to make visitors aware of the tourism opportunities and services afforded by the local area by providing related information. It is also Park System policy to refer visitors to other local lodging facilities when the local Park has no vacancies. Historical data shows that the overall result of Park System policy and accommodations is an increased level of visitation to the local area. And, as word of mouth spreads about positive experiences in the local area, visitation continues to increase. Thus, not only do those local entrepreneurs who provide overnight accommodations benefit, so does the overall local economy as visitors avail themselves of the entertainment, food, gasoline, and other services provided in the local area.
It is also important to recognize the fact that visitor preferences regarding overnight accommodation choices fall into several different niches. Some visitors do not like the rustic accommodations provided by the Park System and clearly prefer the services provided by B&B operations. Others prefer motels and hotels. Still others prefer commercial campgrounds because they can obtain “full hookups” there. Given the different preferences that exist, it seems reasonable to assume that the portion of the populace that prefers the State Park experience over the other choices will not visit an area if their accommodation preference is not obtainable in that local area.
The fact that many Virginians want
to have lodging choices, including State Parks, available to them is clearly
evidenced by the “Virginia Outdoors Survey”.
The 2000 Survey, the most recent available to our knowledge, was
conducted by
Even more compelling evidence about the populace’s desire for overnight accommodations in State Parks is conveyed in the better than 69 percent approval vote for the $119 million general obligation bond referendum that appeared on the ballot in 2002. Among other things, the referendum provided specific funding for additional cabins and campgrounds throughout the State Park System.
In closing, we reiterate our understanding of the initial negative reaction by local businesses that may perceive the State Park system as a competitor for overnight accommodations. However, we believe that the evidence provided by (1) historical experience where Parks across the State have actually added overnight accommodations; (2) the messages communicated by the public through the Virginia Outdoor Survey; and (3) the ballot results on the $119 million 2002 bond referendum provide such clear and compelling evidence that you would be remiss if you did not provide for future cabin and campground accommodations in the Powhatan Master Plan.
Sincerely,
Johnny C. Finch, President