LITTLE ROCK — A steady stream of recreational vehicles is helping North Little Rock’s Riverside RV Park to almost match last year’s pace for overnight stays in less than half the time.
The city-owned RV park by the Arkansas River has already been host to about 1,100 RVs this year, said Bob Major, special-events coordinator for the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. The total was about 1,300 for all of 2009, he said.
The influx of people in everything from big motorcoaches to pull-behind campers has brought in almost $65,000 in park revenue in just less than six months, Major continued. Last May, an article reported $22,175 in revenue in a little more than five months. Nightly rates range from $18 to $29.
While RVers spend an average of three nights at the park, Major said, they’re also spending money shopping, eating out and taking in area attractions in Little Rock, North Little Rock and beyond.
“The average stay for the whole year last year again was three nights, so the length of stay is tracking, while thenumber of RVs is increasing tremendously,” Major said.
RVers, usually two or more to a vehicle, rave about being near so many things to see and do because of the riverside site on the edge of downtown, Major said.
Most RV parks are in outlying areas, even when inside a city, so having North Little Rock’s on five acres next to two downtowns is a rarity.
“They enjoy the farmers market, they rent bikes, and they like the [River Rail] trolley,” Major said. “And it’s not all in North Little Rock. This is being spread out over central Arkansas in the things they are doing.
“What people don’t realize is once these folks hit the state line, they are spending money all down the highway. So it’s a real boost not only to North Little Rock and Little Rock and central Arkansas, but to the whole state as well.”
The park opened in September 2008 on the heels of the North Little Rock City Council approving $200,000 in revenue bonds to create the park across the Arkansas River from the $165 million Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.
The city pays $40,311 annually on the five-year bond debt, the park’s biggest regular expense. The city has added periodic improvements such as restrooms and a $65,000 wrought-iron security fence to enclose the park. The city hired Ron and Sheila Bullerwell in 2008 as on-site park managers.
“We’re pleased that it’s starting to be on the radar as far as the RV community is concerned,” said Joe Smith, the city’s commerce and governmental affairs director who is city liaison to the park’s operation. “We think it’s just a wonderful downtown location to serve that RV population.”
Publicity through advertisements in RV trade magazines and travel directories has increased the park’s visibility,Major said.
Perhaps the biggest grab for new business, however, has been good word-of-mouth from those who have stayed at the park, he added.
“A couple who has stayed in North Little Rock at different times called Sheila at the RV Park from Colorado to say they were visiting with a couple from Texas and were telling them about the beautiful RV Park in North Little Rock,” Major said. “We’re finding out that word-of-mouth is playing a big role in bringing people in.
“That’s true even among locals,” he added. “I had an acquaintance of mine tell me that he and his wife spent four days at the RV Park recently and had a great time. And he lives in Lakewood [a North Little Rock neighborhood].”
Even with the good midyear numbers, things look even better for the RV Park’s future, Major said. For instance, more than 60 of the 72 spaces are reserved for the coming July Fourth weekend.
A regional chapter of an RV association wants to bring 50-75 RVs in for a “rally” next year and a group of maybe 150 is looking at the park for a convention in 2012, said Major, who books the park’s large gatherings in advance.
“We’ve become a real destination,” Major said. “One of the reasons is the downtown metropolitan area. We just expect it [the park] to grow even more. We’re just now tapping its real potential.”
Arkansas, Pages 17 on 06/27/2010