On Thursday, Aug. 5, the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Board met to vote for county commissioners to approve Shady Grove Campground’s new master plan. A new partnership with a lucrative glamping business at the park was also proposed for the park located at 7800 Allyn Lane Memorial Way.
Members of the parks and recreation board voted during the meeting to approve Shady Grove Campground’s master plan and update after 13 years. This includes new amenities and repairs, a report said.
Jim Pryor, the Parks and Recreation director said the original master plan for this project was created in 2008. They have a long-term lease under the Army Corps of Engineers who owns the property.
In the report, Pryor stated that the plan would allow the department to apply for grants to fund the park’s projects.
The project will be divided into four phases.
Phase 1 would involve site improvements and upgrades for electrical pedestals for 69 campsites. Repaving driveways for 56 campsites. Upgrading nine campsites to premium amenities. Installation of truck pron at the roundabout entry, new roofs on three bathhouses, and a new obstacle. This will all be managed and maintained in part by a third-party vendor.
* Phase 2 includes improvements at 60 campsites, design special event areas, a lawn games space and a vendor service area. The lawn games area will be installed, as well as repave roads and site driveways to 12 campsites. A topcoat will also be applied to 35 campsite driveways and roads.
* Phase 3 will include the completion of the special events, lawn games, vendor services areas, shoreline protection for five campsites, and the finalization of the vendor services area.
* Phase 4 will see the replacement of three bathhouses that park officials claim were built in 1980s. It also includes upgrades to the park’s dock and shoreline protections at six other campsites.
The master plan also includes projects such as removing hazardous trees as determined by the county’s arborist. It also includes removing, replacing, or redesigning landscaping timbers or stairs with “safer and more durable materials.”
Replacing campfire rings and grills as well as picnic benches/tables, refreshing campsite pad, reorienting layout, and replacing interior and exterior right-of-way signage as necessary are also included in the plan.
The estimated total cost of the projects is $3.4 million, according to county records.
More Glamping Soon
A popular facility will also be revamped along with the new master plan for Shadygrove Campground, the report said.
During the meeting, board members recommended approval of plans for a new five-year agreement with Timberline Glamping, formerly Georgia Glamping, at Shady Grove Campground and recommended approval of adding six new sites, bringing the total to 13. The plan would see the glamping sites open all year round starting in 2022. The sites are currently open from March 5 to Nov. 29.
Nathan Self, co-owner, said that glamping (short for glamorous camping) has been very popular since the company started renting out sites in 2018. It had been at full capacity since March 2018, when the season began.
According to the report, he saw it fit that the Forsyth County region could use the additional site and they are confident that they could be filled up.
Have you heard about the exciting updates at Shady Grove Campground in Forsyth County? I can’t wait to experience the new glamping amenities and services coming soon!