The $2.9 million RV park project in Marion County, Florida, is making steady progress and is expected to be completed by spring 2024.
Owned and operated by county officials, the RV park will be located next to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala. The project aims to provide additional accommodations for those attending events at the Livestock Pavilion, a move that holds significant promise for the outdoor hospitality industry.
The design phase for the RV park began in the summer of 2021, and construction broke ground earlier this year, WCJB reported.
The park will feature 66 sites, each equipped with essential utilities such as water, sewer, power, and broadband internet. These amenities are designed to offer a comfortable and convenient experience for visitors.
Funding for the project comes from a mix of county funds and state grants. Specifically, $1 million has been provided by state grants from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This financial backing underscores the state’s commitment to enhancing outdoor hospitality and tourism in the region.
Community reaction to the project has been mixed, as revealed in the comments section of a Facebook post by the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion. While some residents are excited about the additional RV spots, others have expressed the desire for more greenery and privacy between the RVs. These comments suggest that while the project is generally welcomed, there are areas where it could be improved to better meet community expectations.
The RV park is expected to have a positive economic impact on Marion County, particularly in terms of tourism and local business. The state grants also indicate a broader economic strategy to invest in outdoor hospitality, which could attract more visitors and boost local tourism.
However, there are also landscaping concerns. Some community members have voiced their hopes for the inclusion of more trees in the RV park’s final layout, as indicated in the Facebook comments.
“It’ll be a very nice place to go park when you’re there for the shows, but I hope they put in some trees in between them RV spots,” one commenter said. This may suggest that while the project is making progress, there is room for improvement in other considerations.
The RV park aims to be accessible, offering utilities like water, sewer, and broadband internet. This makes it a viable option for a wide range of visitors, from families to business travelers attending events at the Livestock Pavilion, but mostly for event attendees at the Livestock Pavilion.
The anticipated completion of the RV park next year could set a precedent for similar projects in the region, thereby further boosting the outdoor hospitality industry. It could also serve as a model for how to balance community needs with economic and environmental considerations.
The $2.9 million RV park project in Marion County is on track for completion by spring 2024. While there are some concerns about the project, the overall sentiment is positive, and it is eagerly awaited by both the community and members of the outdoor hospitality industry.
Featured image from Southeastern Livestock Pavilion.