With a vision to provide drivers and travelers a rest stop for a night, Abilene (Kansas) native David Strong sought to develop Windy Trails Premier RV Park. After going through a lengthy process, the park will be opening soon.
“I just see the people when I’m driving, there [are] no places to park, there [are] no places to pull over,” Strong said. “With the new government fuels for the DOT (department of transportation), truck drivers can only drive so many hours and they have to pull over and all the rest areas are full throughout the whole country.”
Windy Trails will feature ten pull-thru RV sites, three shower/storm shelter facilities, ten camping sites, a fenced kids play area, a fenced dog play area, covered secure RV/boat storage, eight overnight horse stalls, and a laundry facility.
“There is no place to store your (boat). If you try to book a place, you are 20-30 people deep before you can get a place to store your RV or boat,” Strong said.
“It’s gonna have a place for horses,” he added. “People are driving through with horses. I think every eight to 10 hours. You are supposed to get a horse out of a trailer. They need to get the horse out of there. Otherwise, they kind of get vertigo.”
While the Abilene resident has worked on the project for years, he faced hurdles before opening the business—COVID-19 and city government regulations. The city regulations became a challenge when Strong found a piece of land for his project. The property is located at 1900 Block Northwest 14th Street, next to the Russell Stovers Factory.
“The plot just happens to be what was available and just being off the interstate,” Strong said.
The city’s planning commission held a public hearing on December 7 to vote on the rezoning and conditional use permit Strong needed to continue the development of the Windy Trails. The city commissioners gave the final approval of the rezoning to a General Commercial District and the conditional use permit for the park on December 27.
With the papers he needed from the city, he hopes to open the park by late spring. Strong wanted to share a welcome to any visitors or locals wanting to stop by the R.V. park.
“I’m just trying to get people to stop,” Strong said. “I think anytime anybody stops in town. It’s good for everybody’s business.”
I’m pumped about Windy Trails RV Park in Abilene! It’s so cool how they cater to RV and horse lovers, creating an inviting atmosphere. A must-visit spot for travelers seeking a smooth and fun experience.