Demolition Derby

As construction crews begin to move to East side of the campground, the last couple of days look like a demolition derby. Fred Foxx, project manager, says "that several picnic tables and concrete pads at the old tent sites have been broken up according to our plans."

Tent campers are being permanently relocated to one of our beautiful sister Lake Parks—Meadowmere Park. And dump trucks were busy today, being loaded quickly to haul rubble off to be recycled.

The West side of the campground is now open since road repairs have been made, allowing campers to come and go easily.

As the construction crew makes their transition to the East side of the park, orange construction fencing is being placed around upcoming construction sites. The fish station is temporarily closed as well.

Tropical Holiday and Sunsets on the Campground

On Friday night, we had a little taste of the islands here in Texas! Our campground friends Jeff and MaryAnn Waddell started our Friday Night Event off by serving complimentary KONA ICE's to all campers as they walked by.

"It's always so hard to choose what tropical flavor you want," says MaryAnn. "Most campers just mixed all the flavors together, except a few that are hooked our special blends—like Wild Watermelon or Pina Colada." Most campers just smiled from ear to ear, sipping their KONA ICE, as they walked down to the shoreline to try out the Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUP).

Earlier in the evening, Penni and Kevan Burt tried the shoreline next to the beach for a local Grapevine "Meet-Up" with fellow SUPers. After unloading more paddleboards for campground guests to try the new sport, it didn't take long for lots of folks to be on top of the lake, easily gliding around the inlet.

"It's a sport that welcomes all ages," says Penni, "...and it looks like even a few dogs even went paddleboarding with their owners too! Grapevine Lake is perfect tonite for this new sport."

Rains earlier in the afternoon cooled the evening off, and many guests enjoyed being out walking and riding in their golf carts around the park, talking with other RVers and watching another one of the campground's most beautiful sunsets on the lake!

Thanks Troop #700 Trailblazers!

Last Saturday, Grapevine's Boy Scout Troop #700 came to work once again on the Silver Lake Nature Trail on The Vineyards Campground. It is a secluded 1,030 foot soft service pathway through one of the Corp of Engineers Environmentally Protected Areas on Grapevine Lake, and enjoyed by many of our campers and guests.

The trail winds through a lush, cross-timbers forest unique to the North Texas region, providing habitats for native wildlife and numerous species of beautiful birds. Many of the trees along the pathway have identification tags for nature lovers.

Troop #700 tent-camped the night before at Meadomere Park—one of our nearby sister Lake Parks—then rode their bicycles 10-miles over to The Vineyards Campground for their service project.

The scouts worked side-by-side most of all of the day, moving and raking mulch over the whole length of the nature trail. On behalf of our campers and The Vineyards staff - "Thanks so much for your hard work...our Trail has never looked better!"

Best Parks in America — Sign Up for FREE Summer Giveaway to RVers and Campers

Now through September 9, 2010, Best Parks in America is giving away FREE RVing and camping vacations to its members every other Thursday!

RVers and campers alike can win a one-week vacation at any Best Parks in America location of their choice. "By enrolling to be a member of Best Guests in America—a free camping club devoted to those who enjoy vacationing at unique destinations," says BPA President David Gorin, "guests can choose from one of many fine locations. Our 'Best Parks' affiliates, including The Vineyards Campground & Cabins in Grapevine, Texas, will exceed your expectations and camping experiences."

There is no purchase necessary; just sign-up now with Best Guests in America to be included in every drawing throughout the summer. Go to http://www.bestparksinamerica.com/, and register on the "Become a Best Guest" tab. That's all you have to do to qualify for these drawings.

Best Parks in America is a group of 63 highly-rated, independent RV parks and campgrounds in 23 states and Canada which offer premier quality services and warm hospitality. These complimentary BPA vacations will include 6-nights/7-days in an RV or a camp site and must be used by April 30, 2011. Don't wait to register; one sign-up makes you eligible throughout the whole summer.

Campground Improvements—Forty Percent Completed

It's been a remarkable week for site construction on the campground this week and everything remains on schedule. "Many sites on the west side had early concrete pours Friday morning, and we especially want to thank our guests for being so understanding about that work." shares Fred Foxx, project manager.

Also, three additional lift stations have been installed. Though the new sewer system is not online yet, many of the new pad sites have cured and are opening now for guests complete with water and electricity.

"When you camp with us again in the Fall," says Foxx,"we know you will be very pleased with the results!"

Other improvements to the campground were noticeable this week... The sandy beach will be quite the spot for all kinds of summer fun! We've added safety bouys to remind boaters and Ski-doos on the lake that adults and children are swimming near the beach and to slow down.

And at Hummingbird Station, the Foxx family checks out the new picnic tables just placed there yesterday. "Under the cool shade of the trees, these tables will be a welcome addition for our little picnics, those fun campground events, and a nice place to sit outside, waiting for our laundry to wash and dry," says Fiona Foxx.

Rain or Shine—Campground Improvements Are Looking Good

"This last week we've had a little rain...but that's got to be a good thing in the summertime in Texas," says Project Manager Fred Foxx, as he too adjusts to the weather here in Grapevine.

Construction is moving well and systematically around the campground, with about 40 percent of the project completed now. Improvements started on the west side of the park, including three additonal lift stations. This week six new sites were poured near the corner from the cabins on Grapevine Drive.

"Handsome brick support walls were established and several other sites were leveled, ready for cement pours next week," Foxx reports as he covers his usual Friday check-list with Cooper Construction on improvements. Cooper Construction is anticipating moving to the east side of the campground during the first week of August.

"We are constantly monitoring the aggregate hardness of cement pours on those sites we've leveled," shares Foxx. The construction team requires that the pad site set-up time not be rushed, so it can achieve the best strenght and hardness for many of our Fifth Wheel and RV guests. "This weekend, we opened a couple of those newly poured sites for guests, so you can see that improvements are moving along quite well!"

Thanks Chick-fil-A!

"We are very thankful to have such wonderful business partners here in Grapevine," says Joe Moore, assistant director of Parks and Recreation fo the City of Grapevine.

Clint Cowden, operator of the Grapevine Mills Mall Chick-fil-A, fed our Lakes Park staff on the 4th of July! With a little rain, humidity and heat, large holiday crowds and busy schedules — lunch could not have been a more welcome treat! Thanks Chick-fil-A!

There's nothing like a great American company to put real meaning into the 4th of July! All of us at The Vineyards Campground, Rockledge Park and Meadowmere Park appreciated Chick-fil-A's generosity.

There's Nothing Like A 4th of July Parade!

Last night the summer rains cooled off the campground, and today the clouds helped make our 4th of July Parade through the park very enjoyable for all! Families showed up early to don red, white, and blue hats, beads, sunglasses and get their American Flags beforehand.













Campground Project Manager Fred Foxx and his family were soon joined by darling Grapevine poodle—Dolly Parton—in their Segway-pulled wagon.

And many other campground doggie guests were well-dressed for the occassion, walking on leashes and entertaining the crowd.

The parade cruised the west side of the campground first, then made a figure-eight back to cheering crowds in lawn chairs on east side. The parade ended, returning to Hummingbird Station for more treats. A great time was had by all...