The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) held its 2020 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) virtually Nov. 2-5. ARVC said its “Park of the Year” awards are a signature part of its Awards of Excellence, which are presented annually to the standout parks and individuals in the outdoor hospitality industry.
“These parks are not only wonderful destinations with fantastic amenities, but more importantly the owners and staff at these parks continually provide over-the-top customer service,” said Paul Bambei, president and CEO of ARVC. “Even in a difficult year, these parks still found a way to go above and beyond in efforts, by providing world-class amenities, experiences and customer service.”
This year’s winners were:
Mega Park Category (500+ sites):
Myrtle Beach Travel Park, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
As one judge said of the park, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, “A mega park with a mom-and-pop ethic for guests, campers and community.”
This was Myrtle Beach Travel Park’s first ARVC Mega Park of the Year award.
Large Park Category (250-499 sites) and the Plan-It Green Friendly Park award in the Large/Mega category (250+ sites):
Evergreen Campsites & Resort, Wild Rose, Wisc., was named Large Park of the Year and Plan-It-Green Park of the Year.
“The park is not only (a) wonderful destination with fantastic amenities, but more importantly the owners and staff are focused on creating experiences that are sustainable for generations to come,” said Bambei. “To win two ARVC Awards of Excellence in the same year shows that rapidly, Evergreen Campsites & Resort truly belongs at the top of the industry!”
Medium Park Category (101-250 sites) and the Plan-It Green Friendly Park Award in the Small/Medium category (1- 250 sites):
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Kozy Rest, Harrisville, Pa., is ARVC’s Park of the Year and Plan-It-Green Park of the Year in this category.
“The parks that receive the Park of the Year Award and the Plan-It Green Park of the Year are at the pinnacle of the industry, and it is incredible to see a park that is able to excel in both categories,” said Bambei. “The Quigley’s park (Gary and Denny Quigley are the owners) is not only (a) wonderful destination with fantastic amenities, but more importantly the owners and staff are focused on creating experiences that are sustainable for generations to come.”
Small Park Category (1-100 sites):
Beaver Dam Campground, Berwick, Maine, is the winner of this category.
According to the ARVC, Beaver Dam Campground, owned by Sheila Buck and Michelle Burgess, earned rave-reviews from guests and judges for its spacious and well-maintained campsites, most featuring waterfront views. “What really separates it from other campgrounds was the attention to the details,” according to the judges. Judges pointed to factors like clean and modern restrooms; a well-stocked camp store; entertainment; and planned events that appeal to campers of all ages.
This is Beaver Dam Campground’s second Award of Excellence, having won as Small Park of the Year in 2015.
