NORTH TEXAS JELLYSTONE PARK AWARDED "BEST ACCOMMODATIONS 2010" - June 8, 2010
An independent panel of judges concluded that the park's unique luxury cottages, which include handmade furnishings, Jacuzzis and stone fireplaces, are among the finest campground cottages in Texas
BURLESON, Texas, June 8, 2010 - One of the biggest trends in the campground business is the move by park operators to provide their guests with rental accommodations in addition to RV and tent sites. But while most parks are investing in factory built park model cabins and cottages, the Burleson / South Fort Worth Jellystone Park Camp-Resort has built its cottages the old fashioned way - from the ground up.
"We have 37 cottages, and each one is unique and very upscale," said Steve Stafford, the park's manager. So upscale, in fact, that the Texas Association of Campground Owners recently awarded the park its first "Best Accommodations" Award, reflecting the cottages' innovative architectural designs and furnishings.
"The park really has beautiful cottages," said Brian Schaeffer, the association's executive director and CEO, adding that the Jellystone Park were named best in the state by an independent panel of judges. All of the cottages have unique handmade pine and oil-rubbed bronze furnishings from Mexico and east Texas. Most of the 37 cottages also have their own private, two-person Jacuzzis, as well as separate showers and stone fireplaces with handmade wood mantles.
"Our guests have been overwhelmed by how inviting and comforting these rooms are," Stafford said, adding, "People even call us back after they've stayed here asking where we bought our mattresses because they're so comfortable." Perhaps not surprisingly, the cottages are in high demand and are booked every weekend through most of the summer. "Once people see these cottages, they're sold," Stafford said.
The cottages, however, are only one facet of the 248-site park, which joined the Jellystone Park chain earlier this year. Formerly known as Rustic Creek Ranch, the park has nearly doubled in size and had numerous improvements since Ronnie Bowyer acquired the property nine years ago. Bowyer plans to continue investing in additional amenities over the next year, including a pedal kart track, arcade, and laser tag. A waterpark and sprayground are also expected to open by the summer of 2011. The park is also investing in inflatable climbing structures for children and is ramping up its slate of campground activities to include daily craft classes, family games, hayrides as well as rides on the park's fire truck, which the park recently purchased. Of course, all these activities have an extra element of fun with Yogi Bear participating. Yogi is on site daily to greet campers, pose for photo ops and take part in events.
The park also offers Karaoke and movie nights. For more information about the Burleson / South Fort Worth Jellystone Park Camp-Resort or to book cottage or campsite, visit www.rusticcreekranch.com.
In addition to marketing Texas campgrounds and holding an annual industry awards competition, the Texas Association of Campground Operators publishes and distributes the Texas RV Travel & Camping Guide and serves as a clearing house for camping related information in Texas.
For statistics and commentary involving the latest camping trends in Texas and New Mexico parks, please contact Brian Schaeffer at (817) 307-0129 or visit www.texascampgrounds.com and www.texascabinrentals.net.