The Quarry Campground in Tolland, Connecticut, has undergone a transformation since its purchase by B&B Property LLC, led by Brittany Mathis and Hildberto Ventura. Formerly known as Del-Aire Camping Resort, the property has been revitalized into a welcoming retreat for outdoor enthusiasts, with its latest addition of a dog beach.
The idea of owning a campground began as a family dream, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. “That’s when we started looking at properties and took the dream seriously. We grew up in Rhode Island and wanted to find a property in New England that was close to home,” Mathis said.
Opening its doors in May 2022, The Quarry Campground now operates seven days a week from May through October 31, providing accommodations for RV owners and tent campers alike.
In a move to enhance its offerings, the campground introduced a dog beach in June, catering to pet owners seeking a space for their dogs to enjoy the water.
“We just had so many people who have dogs and want to have them in the water, so we created a dog beach,” Mathis told CT Insider. “We already have a dog park inside the campground, so this was an easy next step,” Mathis added.
The new dog beach, located on the campground’s fishing pond and separate from the swimming area for humans, began as a sandy half-circle. Mathis described the evolution: “At first, we just made a sandy half-circle and left the water as it was, but she (Barbie) liked diving in, so we cleared out all the vegetation to make it easier for her to swim.”
To ensure the area remains clean and safe, the dog beach is equipped with a doggy station, complete with waste bags and a trash can. Mathis added that the beach could expand if demand increases, stating, “If we see an influx, we’d make the beach bigger.”
The developments at The Quarry Campground highlight the importance for private campground operators and RV park owners of catering to dog lovers by adding pet-friendly amenities like a dog beach. By creating spaces for dogs to enjoy, campgrounds can aim to attract a broader clientele and increase guest satisfaction.
Featured image by The Quarry Campground via facebook.com/TheQuarryCampground