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Campgrounds now open at The Lake and River Road

Lead Summary
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By
Lori Sorenson

Just in time for the Fourth of July holiday, Luverne area residents and visitors have new camping options at The Lake and at the former Boy Scouts campground east of the city park.
The “Luverne Campground” at The Lake received Minnesota Department of Health approval Monday, and “River Road Campground” was approved earlier this month.
Mike and Traci Davis are developing The Lake site and they’re partnering with Billy and Missy Cowell on the River Road location.
They said they hesitate to announce a grand opening, since both campgrounds are still being developed, but they are open and taking reservations.
“I want people to understand there is construction going on,” Davis said. “I don’t want them to leave with a bad taste in their mouths, because this isn’t how it will be when we’re done.”
While he’d like to wait until all details are finished, demand is increasing for local campsites, and several spots were filled over the weekend.
“They’re filling up fast for the Fourth of July,” Davis said. “The campgrounds are open, but there is still plenty to do.”
 
‘Luverne Campground’ at The Lake:
The Davises, who own property adjacent to The Lake, are developing nine campsites with cement RV pads (not pull-through) and full hookup — water, sewer, electric and wifi.
The sites are across the street from The Lake, north of Edgehill Street, along a private service road that would loop off from Edgehill.
They requested — and obtained — a conditional use permit from the city a year ago to proceed with their plans.
According to Planning and Zoning Director Chad McClure, a campground is an allowable use in that zoning area, which is R-I, residential-industrial, and affected neighbors were notified and did not object.
DGR engineering surveyed the camp areas, and they meet licensure requirements for DNR with regard to flood plain drainage and the Minnesota Department of Health for safety.
Each site is 2,000 square feet with room for an RV and a vehicle. Adequate designated off-street parking is available for additional vehicles.
Noise rules fall under the same city ordinance, such as quiet times between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and a 10-mph speed limit is imposed through the campground.
The Davises attended Monday night’s hearing to answer questions about their plans.
Mike said licensure also dictates night lighting, garbage management, rodent and pest control and other requirements, in addition to a 24-hour contact for the Sheriff’s Office in the event of an emergency.
“The Department of Health protects a lot of stuff, to make sure everything is clean and safe,” he said. “And this will be small.”
The Davises are also developing nine small cabins on the south side of the road out of the flood plain, and possible asphalt paving.
Davis said the coronavirus pandemic hit in the middle of campground development plans.
“With construction prices and all, it turned a $425,000 project into closer to $600,000,” he said about the Lake campground.
 
River Road Campground
The Davises and Cowells are working together on the River Road Campground.
It features 18 campsites for RVs on gravel with electricity and rural water hookup, with a dump station available at the campground entrance at the road.
“We’re excited to have it here and have people driving through Luverne to get here … People who have camped here have really like it,” Billy Cowell said. “We’re getting people to town and hopefully shopping here.”
The Rock County Board approved the 13-acre campground in Luverne Township last year as a permitted use in ag district.
As part of the conditions to operate a campground on the property, the county required a permit through the Minnesota Department of Health. Other conditions include quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
In addition to clearing trees and developing campsites, passersby noticed last week the addition of a house that was moved onto the premises.
It will not be available for campground reservations; rather, it will be rented out as residential housing. “It was a way for us to establish instant equity,” Davis said.
It was moved by Berghorst and Sons, Hull, Iowa, from an acreage east of Luverne along County Road 9 near Binford Farms onto a new foundation on River Road.
A spur from the planned Ashby trail will meander through the River Road Campground. “That will be a huge asset,” he said.
Overall, Davis said he views the campgrounds as another tool in the box that makes the community stronger.
“I want to stress to people who come to use these campsites that they should still check out the state park, they should see the museums, and stop at bars and restaurants,” he said.
“What the campgrounds mean to me is an opportunity for people to see what Luverne has to offer. We all feed off each other.”
To reserve a campsite at The Lake, call 507-920-6998. To reserve at River Road call 507-935-5384 or 507-920-6998.

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