Not-so-nature lovers get a comfortable upgrade at Northwest River Park

By Barbara J. Woerner

Correspondent

Nature lovers longing for a natural setting but a solid roof over their heads instead of a tent are in luck. Northwest River Park, long known as a tent and RV camper’s destination, now offers two small cabins for rent.

“We as a department were looking at expanding our parks with a wider array of activities and amenities for the public,” said Ray Wharton,  superintendent of parks, in Chesapeake. “We want people to see the park itself as a destination.”

The two cabins are the largest upgrade to the 763-acre park this year. Also added this year are kayaks and bicycles available for  rent.

“We’ve been looking at how to enhance the park and plan for where it’s going the next five or 10 years,” said Wharton. “Adding the cabins made sense and we hope to be adding more down the road.”

The  cabins are constructed of white ash wood and manufactured by Piedmont Portable Structures,  from New Baltimore in Virginia. They were delivered pre-made and set in place in the park’s camping area.

“The most important thing is we didn’t disturb the natural setting,” said Wharton. “No trees were taken out.”

The cabins are 700-square- feet each and feature a queen-size bed, futon, table and chairs, refrigerator and microwave. Also included are sinks with running water but no restrooms.

Cabin guests will use campground restroom facilities. Cost of construction and set up of the two cabins, according to Wharton, was about $18,000 each, including the electrical and plumbing.

“Eventually we’ll have satellite and you’ll be able to plug in your TV if you bring one,” said Wharton. “We anticipate being able to connect the Internet also in the near future.”

Bobby Clifton,  director of Chesapeake parks and recreation, said a whole slew of new amenities and improvements are slated for the park.

“We are currently about a week away from signing a contract with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads to partner with them and construct day camp facilities at the park,” he said.

The proposed day camp will be adjacent to the park campground and will include 14 large shelters, an activity building, amphitheater and swimming pool.

Clifton said the pool would be available for campground use on the weekends in two years.

“We’re looking at 2010 before the pool would be completed,” he said. “A new boat ramp is also in the works and will be completed by 2010.”

Neither Clifton nor Wharton have stayed in the new cabins yet.

“I love ’em,” said Clifton. “The cost to stay in them is $85 on peak nights and $65 on off-season nights.”

“We’re trying to make them affordable and they are available now for rental until the campground closes Dec. 1 for the season,” he added.

Wharton said he’s planning a family stay at some point. The campground reopens April 1.

“When my daughter saw the cabins she made me promise that we would come and stay in one,” he said. “And we plan on doing that.”

For more information, call 421-3145. 

Barbara J. Woerner Bjwz2cool@cox.net