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Letter to the editor

Fort De Soto raises camping fees

The increase covers new electronic needs.

By NICK JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Published October 3, 2007

	Lukas Damjanovic sits in his stroller while his father, Neb, sister Avery, and mother, Tori, prepare to fish at Fort De Soto Park in March. Tampabay.com Beach Guide
[Times photo: James Borchuck]

Tierra Verde -- The price of an overnight stay at Fort De Soto Park just went up.

As of Oct. 1, rates at the park's campsite increased from $25 per site to $30 for tents, vans and pop-ups and $35 for larger RVs.

Leah Hoffman, operations manager for Pinellas County Parks and Recreation, said the increased rates were recommended by the office of budget management. But campers will be getting more for their money.

"The new rigs now, RVs come complete with satellites and computer hookups and all that, so the campground had to be updated," Hoffman said.

That includes $50,000 worth of electrical upgrades last year and another $95,000 on the way.

"Today's RVs are unbelievable; some are palaces on wheels," said Jim Wilson, Fort De Soto park supervisor, said of the increased electrical demands.

Wilson said he hasn't heard any complaints about the new rates, which are lower than a private campground in Pinellas County.

The popular campsite last saw a rate increase four years ago, and the new rates are unlikely to affect business.

The campground has more than 200 sites that brought in an estimated $1.6-million for the county last year.

Wilson said the campground was nearly 80 percent booked this coming weekend, and October is usually the slowest month.

In February, peak snowbird season, they are nearly booked solid.

"It's going to be hard to go in Florida and find another campground like us," Wilson said.

Nick Johnson can be reached at nickjohnson@sptimes.com or 893-8361.

[Last modified October 3, 2007, 06:27:38]