A nearly 10-acre RV park with 49 sites is being proposed for North Santa Rosa County (Florida), according to a development application submitted in early August.
The project, located at 8855 Highway 87 N. in Allentown, would be built in five phases if approved by county officials.
The development proposal for the RV park was filed with Santa Rosa County on Aug. 1, and officials have not yet scheduled a date for its review.
According to an article published by Pensacola News Journal on August 11, Developer Ken Smith, owner of Blackwater Truss Systems, confirmed he is pursuing the project but declined to discuss specifics.
Each of the first four phases would add 10 RV stalls and a new road, while the fifth phase would include nine stalls. The initial phase would also establish perimeter roads around the property.
The proposed site is part of a larger 79.9-acre parcel Smith purchased for $315,000 in 2022.
Only 9.97 acres would be used for the RV park, according to county property records. The proposed RV park would also be located about six miles from NAS Whiting Field.
A single entryway would lead to the site’s perimeter roads, providing access to all RV spaces.
Overflow parking for 30 vehicles is also planned on the south end of the property near a stormwater pond. Site plans indicate that the RV park would include both paved and unpaved areas.
The development would join three other RV parks approved in Santa Rosa County in 2025, located in Jay, Milton, and Navarre.
The phased approach of the proposed RV park highlights the importance of starting with a limited number of sites and essential infrastructure to demonstrate viability, address potential regulatory or community concerns early, and make adjustments as needed.
Constructing the 49-site project in five stages also allows costs to be managed over time, reduces financial risk, and enables the development to respond to market demand before full build-out.