RONDEAU SHORES TRAILER PARK, MORPETH, ONTARIO
By Harold Merton
One nice thing about having published this magazine for forty years is the fact that things we wrote about years ago can be revisited because we have a great many new readers with us who did not see previous articles on specific subjects.
In our February 1988 edition of Scope we ran a story on Rondeau Shores
Trailer Park in the Morpeth, Ontario area. At that time I said that this
campground had "the most friendly campers we have ever met at any
of the campgrounds we have visited in the past 25 years".
That statement made quite an impact! It was true and because we all want
to go to places where the people are more than friendly, our story brought
a lot of attention to a nice campground situated on the Shores of Lake
Erie in the Ridgetown, Ontario area.
The owner Joyce Allen and her late husband Bob had worked very hard for many years not only keeping their campground up to standards but making improvements as well. The beautiful beach at the lake's edge of the campground is an asset that mother nature sometimes takes away for short periods of time.
When we visited a few years ago, a higher than normal water level had
reduced the beach area to a minimum and while they have a delightful 25
by 50 foot pool behind the campground office, the 525 foot beach sometimes
beckoned us. Fortunately in a few weeks the water level went back to normal
and mother nature returned the sandy beach to the site. You can also enjoy
off-the beach fishing there if you wish.
To me the hill overlooking the lake and the sandy beach is a beautiful
scene and one of the highlights of this park. The people are still friendly
at Rondeau Shores. While we walked along the roads making pictures for
this feature several spoke to us. Some did however immediately notify
the office that "there was a man taking pictures in the park!"
It looks like the internal security works well.
Rondeau Shores Trailer Park has been awarded three stars for facilities
and recreation by Woodalls. They have large treed lots, playgrounds, a
large rec hall, laundromat and clean washrooms. The trees are very mature
and tall after all these years and a shaded site isn't hard to find.
The campground has 123 sites on a parcel of a little over 10 acres of
land and they are one of few campgrounds that still has a lifeguard on
duty (from July 1st to Labor Day) at the swimming pool. Their store carries
staple groceries as well as frozen meat, cold meats, cheese, bread and
canned goods. There's a good confectionery area where
kids of all ages can buy their soft drinks, bottled water, chips, candy
and
chocolate bars.
Campsites have 20 amp electrical service for seasonal sites and 15 amp
for overnighters. Their tested well water is non-chlorinated so there
is no unpleasant taste. Regular campers enjoy pancake breakfasts, beef
barbecues, fish frys, pot luck suppers as well as games tournaments.
Special theme weekends are popular too. There's a "Trick or Treat" night in August where the kids dress up in costume and visit the trailers, kids' days and they love to play a game called "Holey Board" It keeps many of the campers busy on a regular basis. The rec hall has video games and is a popular gathering spot.
Nearby attractions include the Ridgetown Golf Club, Greenview Aviaries
and Farm Zoo, and Ridge House Museum as well as shopping in Ridgetown
billed as "The friendliest town in Ontario." Overnight and weekend
lots are available by reservation and seasonal lots are available. There
are also some on-site trailers and a cottage for rent
in the park. There is no additional charge for visitors but they do have
to
register at the office on arrival.
You reach the park from Exit # 109 of the 401 Highway and then travel
south on Highway #21. The park is about three hours from Toronto, a little
over an hour from London and Windsor and about two and a half hours from
the Hamilton and Burlington area.
The Allens have owned and operated the park for the past 18 years and
we understand that retirement may be in the near future. If you've ever
had aspirations of being a campground owner you might like to talk to
them. This would be a great campground to own. Someone new will probably
take over the reins in the next few years.
It was a pleasure to revisit a delightful campground that we had featured
a great many years ago.
Rondeau Shores Trailer Park
RR # 1, Morpeth, Ontario N0P 1X0
519.674.3330