Definition of public or private

Over the time that this forum has been in existance, I've seen reviews about public parks and private parks. There are some parks that I consider private, but some people refer to them as public.

To me, a private park is one that is owned or managed by an individual or family (Mom & Pop's Shady Acres, or franchises such as KOA or Jellystone). They are open to the public, but are privatly owned. Some of these allow extended stays, some limit the length of stay. Some of the extended stays allow park models, some allow only those that can be pulled or driven out at a moment's notice (TTs, 5th Ws, motorhomes).

Public parks are those that are owned by the public - us, the taxpayers (State Parks, National Parks, COEs, etc.)

There are what I call exclusive parks.... members only. Some of them might be open to the public, but the price per night might be high.

And, there are military campgrounds - these are funded by the taxpayers and are for the well-deserved use of military or retired military individuals or families. If there are AAFES campgrounds, these are military, but aren't payed for by the taxpayers. I don't know of any AAFES (I think they might have changed their name) funded campgrounds, there are AAFES resorts, such as Shades of Green at DisneyWorld. I know where I can find out if anyone is interested. These would be for the use of active military, retired military, DOD, or someone who is sponsored by and accompanied by military or DOD.

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I know some of you have totally different opinions on what constitutes a private park or public park - I'd like to know what you think. I might have to change my terminology. I realize that what I consider a private park is a public park to others.

Tater

Tater, I agree with your definitions. It's all about ownership.

Campgrounds can be located inside of parks. Not all parks have campgrounds and not all campgrounds are in parks.
To me there are 2 categories of campgrounds: Private and State/Federal. Around here state campgrounds are all dry camping usually offering only a dump station while private campgrounds offer it all, full hook ups.

I agree, public campgrounds are owned by all of us (taxpayers), private are owned by a company, or individual(s).

Just to toss a couple of spanners at this:

1. I can go to a lot of "Private" RV parks and rent space. These are open to the "Public", which is how I would define them.
2. I can go to some "Private" parks and be told I have to be a member. These are "Private".
3. We went to one place, at Hilton Head SC, and were told that unless we had a motorhome we couldn't even drive through to look. That's snobbish, but it is "Private".
4. I've heard of places where you can't get in if you don't have an Airstream. That's just silly, and "Private".

I call those "Exclusive."

Some of these don't care what kind or size your unit is, it just can't be older than a certain number of years. That makes it kind of bad for people who collect and refurbish (at great expense, BTW) tin cans or specific brands of RVs.

Tater

I checked with my source at AAFES. AAFES does not have any campgrounds. I suppose they feel that the military campgrounds are sufficient.

Tater

Scruffy and Tater wrote:I call those "Exclusive."

We could always start an exclusive "Wildcats ONLY" RV park and show em a thing or two!!

TC

Copy That

TC,

Where you gonna build this Wildcat RV Park? Now, THAT would definitely be exclusive.