Village Squire, 1980-06, Page 9WELCOME TO
WILDWOQD
CAMP
J Ar
W
.^-`--'-f Asa Rooves
A SECTIONS
WOODED AREAS
PLEASE USE ONE WAY ROADS
SECTION
_38 rk
VISITORS MUST
LEAVE BY II PM
HIKING TRAIL
4••••t FOLLOW ARROW
T R• H NUR'AY •.
Campers visiting Wildwood Park, outside St. Marys, can't get
lost with signs like this one showing a detailed layout of the
grounds, and instructions for amateur naturalists on using the
park's hiking trails.
SHELTER VALLEY
Another O.P.C.A. member is Shelter
Valley Trailer Park, tucked along the
Maitland River banks; access is gained
from Highway 8 just 6 kilometres south-
east of Goderich. Hosts are Ray and
Marlene Bush and family.
Of 90 sites, most have hydro and water
or hydro, water and sewage; a few
unserviced sites lie close to the riverbank.
Daily rates range from $6 for an unserviced
site; S7.50 for a site with hydro and water;
and $8.25 for hydro, water and sewage.
Two week and three-week 'econo-paks'
and summer 'park-paks' are offered.
Facilities include flush toilets, showers,
firepits, store, pool and pavilion/picnic
shelter.
Open May to October, the park attracts
fishermen in early spring eager to fish in
Maitland River. During the summer, the
pool and pavilion are focal points for camp
activities. Last year bingos. _kids' carnivals
and similar events were held to raise
money for Ontario March of Dimes'
camping programs.
A bulletin board at Shelter Valley
promotes local attractions like the Huron
County Pioneer Museum and Huron
County Gaol. Most campers come to a
remote camp like Shelter Valley, though, to
enjoy the natural terrain.
One-third of the seasonal campers and
weekend users come from a 35 -kilometre
radius, while the rest come from
Sarnia, Woodstock, Windsor, Kitchener/
Waterloo ai:d Stratford.
Besides a camp's facilities, attitudes of
campers help to create atmosphere. Late
(Photo by Townshend)
last fall Mr. and Mrs. Maloney, a retired
couple from Stratford, came to Shelter
Valley. Although they were newcomers,
they were welcomed by camp regulars and
this year are back for the whole summer.
The park has been in operation only
three years and Ray Bush feels at least five
years is needed to build clientele. Business
is steadily growing, though; last year long
week ends were filled as well as a tew other
weekends. He notes campers are parking
their trailers longer in one camp to save
fuel.
Shelter Valley is a family campground,
but Ray Bush directs single campers to
parks that can accommodate them.
FAMILY PARADISE
Another out-of-the-way campground is
Family Paradise, 11 kilometres north of
Seaforth on Huron County Road 12 close to
the Huron/Perth border. Hosts are John
and Judy George.
The 150 sites are divided by cedar rail
fences, lots average 40 feet by 40 feet; 100
sites have water and electrical hook ups,
many with sewers. Daily rates range from
$5 to $7; weekly, S30 to $42; monthly, $100
to $150; and seasonal, $250 to $325.
Official season runs May 15 to October 15.
Facilities include flush toilets, showers,
firepits, store, shelter and picnic areas. A
Laundromat was added this spring, and the
playground was improved. Paddle boats
and canoes may be hired for the 7 -acre
manmade lake, and a one -acre 'fun
fishing" pond is stocked with chub and
bass. The 117 -acre park provides plenty of
nature and hiking trails; hayrides are given
around concession roads.
A games hall contains pinball machines,
ping pong tables and juke boxes. Other
forms of recreation are horseshoes,
baseball, volleyball and mini -golf. Special
events are corn roasts, cookouts and fun
nights. Every Saturday night year round a
dance is held in the park's dance hall. The
public is welcome, but a fee is charged at
the gate. Sunday afternoon entertainment
is provided by local bands, fiddlers, step
dancers and other artists.
According to Judy George, Family
Paradise is a 'destination camp' to which
people come looking for a back -to -nature
atmosphere. Local residents come from a
general 55 -kilometre area - Seaforth,
Milverton, Listowel, London, Kitchener/
Waterloo and Stratford have also been
good drawing areas for Family Paradise.
Some travellers plan to attend Stratford
Festival, a half-hour drive, or Blyth
theatre, a fifteen -minute drive.
With the high price of gas, the only
change Judy George notices is campers are
choosing parks closer to home: that is,
taking a one-hour drive rather than a
three -or -four-hour drive.
BIRCH BARK
On Highway 83, two kilometres east of
Grand Bend and three kilometres west of
Huron Country Playhouse is Birch Bark
Trailer Park, a strictly family campground,
run by Lloyd and Joyce Morden and sons.
The 100 campsites nestle among white
birches on 25 acres of woodland; 100 sites
have water and electricity, while more than
60 have electrical, water and sewer
connections. Facilities include flush
toilets, showers, firepits, laundry, rec hall,
store, propane, playground and 16 -foot -by -
32 -foot pool. The se. on runs officially
from May 15 to Qatober 15; rates may be
paid by day. week, month or season.
Activities include horseshoes, tether
ball, badminton, pin ball, bingos, pot luck
suppers, group campfires, sing songs, corn
roasts, nature trails and picnic areas.
Four golf courses are located within
eight kilometres. Grand Bend offers
shopping, fishing, tennis, swimming,
nightlife, kiddies' playland, roller skating,
dancing, a nearby museum, and public
boat launch and marina. Flea markets,
auctions and antique sales and country
fairs are held in the area.
Special events in the area include the
Grand Bend Burger Fest, June 20 and 21;
Friedsburg Days in Dashwood, and the
Zurich Bean Festival.
Campers come from Hensall, Zurich,
Exeter as well as from London, St.
Thomas, St. Marys, and from as far away
as Windsor, Toronto, Kentucky and
Massachussetts.
Birch Bark Trailer Park, member of
Ontario Private Campgrounds Association,
last year raised funds for Ontario March of
Dimes' camping programs - a project of
several O.P.C.A. members.
VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1980 PG.7