Holt Park’s seasonal campers upset with new policies at the campground spoke to the Spruce Town Board on Nov. 18.
Last month, the board approved restrictions in deck size and shed size for camp sites. It also mandated the removal of decorative flowers planted at the sites and outdoor mats around the campers. Town Chairman Terry Brazeau said the restrictions were made on the advice of town attorney Josh Koch and will take effect next year.
Holt Park is a 48-site campground on Kelly Lake created in 1923 when the Holt Lumber Company donated the property to the town. Thirty-six sites are reserved for seasonal campers.
The recent policies were adopted to address complaints from some in the community regarding how the campground is run. Some contend the park has become a “gated community” due to the number of season campers with permanent decks and landscaped sites. They believe this defies the covenants of the original agreement — for the park to be open to the public.
The Town Board disagrees. Town officials maintain that camping units meet the requirement of being moved within two hours, and the public is welcome at the park for the day or overnight stays.
Opponents also argue seasonal campers receive many of the benefits of living on Kelly Lake without paying property taxes.
Seasonal camper Joan Lannoye put her deck in before the rules changed, and she said to expect her to cut it down now is unfair.
“We put a lot of money and effort into putting in the deck,” she said. “It isn’t permanently attached.”
Lannoye said she and her partner, Jim Engebretsen, are elderly and put in the deck to give them a stable, level surface to sit and walk on outside of their camper.
“I’m asking you to please reconsider,” she said. “We cannot get out of our back door safely.”
The Town Board did not comment.
Seasonal Sandie Blosser, of Howard, said the seasonal campsites are beneficial to the town because they bring in $36,000 per year. She compared that to weekend campers paying $15 to $20 per night who only stay the weekend.
Seasonal campers pay $850 per year for rent from May 1 to Oct. 31. They can opt to leave their camper on the site for winter storage for another $150.
She also said seasonal campers spend more money in the community, since they spend more time in the area, utilizing area restaurants, the laundromat and gas station. Weekend campers typically bring in their own food and beverages and generally stay in their campsites, she said.
Tom Quinn, Blosser’s partner, said, “We oftentimes go to Romy’s on Friday nights and with a drink and the meal, I can spend anywhere between $40 to $50.”
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