Park Models (35-5) By Jonathan
Lee and Wally Callaghan |
There’s
a Growing Demand for Park Models Thanks to Reasonable Prices,
Residential-Quality Amenities, and Rising Real Estate Costs.
Across Canada Park Models
are becoming an important part of the recreational vehicle picture.
The advent of new parks and the upgrading of older ones, plus
the attractive lifestyle afforded by these vacation homes has
made them an affordable and viable choice to get away from it
all.
Many RV dealers and campground owners across Canada agree that
Park Model living is becoming increasingly popular way to maximize
enjoyment of our beautiful summers.
“The social and community activities at these parks are
huge!” says John Petrie, owner of Niagara Trailers in
Ontario and owner of the Grand River and Lighthouse RV Resorts.
“People have plenty of chances to mix with others in the
fresh air – something not necessarily common to city dwellers.”
“You spend less on gas and you’re in a beautiful
location equipped with excellent facilities,” adds Jeff
Redmond of Bucar’s RV Centre in Balzac, Alberta.
Bill Garpow, executive director of the Recreational Park Trailer
Industry Association (RPTIA), describes the typical Park Model
purchaser, “Usually they’re family oriented people
who’ve enjoyed the RV experience in the past. They have
a favourite campground that they go to every year, but now desire
the greater space offered by Park Models.”
Park Models are surprisingly spacious. Headroom is impressively
similar to traditional homes and, depending on the décor
and option packages, they can be very luxurious, boasting floor
plans measuring up to 46 feet in length by 8 to 12 feet in width.
Many of the interior appointments found in Park Models are similar
to what you’d find in a normal home, from house-type ceiling
fans to residential-sized refrigerators, ovens and microwaves.
Beyond that, there are still many advantages to this pleasurable
style of living. Quite often, Park Model campgrounds offer a
wide variety of services and facilities to enhance your vacation
experience. Take for instance, the convenience of having a golf
course or driving range on site to practice your swing, swimming
pools and whirlpool baths where you can unwind, tennis courts
and fitness rooms for exercise, and playgrounds and waterslides
for the kids. There are also a wide range of social benefits
to be found at the RV park community center, where you can meet
to enjoy games like bingo and shuffle board, experience a romantic
evening of dancing with your significant other, or dine in fine
style at fun weekend barbecues.
When it comes to service, most campgrounds are first rate, offering
cable TV and internet access, as well as 24-hour security. Then
of course, getting around is made a lot easier too, thanks to
paved roads and regular park maintenance.
Simply put, Park Model living is a genuine leisure lifestyle.
Timber Ridge 40/11
 Woodland
Park’s Timber Ridge 4011 (40 feet long, 11 feet wide)
has an exceptional contemporary interior styling. This particular
floor plan featured a front living room with sofa and recliner,
a central kitchen, and a rear bathroom. By selecting one of
the three upgrade packages (silver, gold, platinum) you can
dramatically enhance the livability of this Park Model.
Juanita Jenkin, manager of Cedar Beach Park in Stouffville,
Ontario, took us through the Timber Ridge equipped with the
platinum package. We immediately noticed the opulent looking
cherry interior cabinets, furniture, and trim around the ceiling,
windows and doorways.
A queen-size bed, with eight-inch pillow top, welcomes you in
the bedroom. Above the bed is a pleasing, half-moon-shaped window
that provides additional daylight.
In the kitchen, the fridge and four burner oven were both stainless
steel (another added benefit of the gold and platinum packages),
which matched flawlessly with the cherry wood cabinetry and
chrome-finished, four-lamp hanging light in the dinette. The
‘L’ shaped countertop provides abundant space, plus
there’s a flip-up extension that can be used if a little
more is required.
Double-doors lead from the bedroom into the roomy bathroom.
Here you’ll find a laminate floor, additional storage
space, a sink and mirror with three vanity lights, a wardrobe
with sliding mirrored doors and drawers below, a linen closet,
and a one piece tub/shower with sliding doors. Additional privacy
is provided by a separate door leading to the house-type toilet.
Because this is a single bedroom floor plan, it’s an ideal
choice for those seeking generous bathroom and living room breathing
space. (Page Top)
Huron Ridge Estate
 General
Coach brings a lot to the table with their 2006 lineup of Park
Model homes, presenting camping enthusiasts with an elegant
and spacious interior. We looked at the E42X12 1B FK (42-foot
by 12-foot front kitchen) Huron Ridge Estate, which really stood
out thanks to features such as hardwood flooring in the kitchen/dining
area, and a half octagon-shaped bay window in the front dinette
area.
Some of the Estate’s more outstanding features include
the kitchen with its “L-shaped” roll top countertop
and black General Electric appliances, such as the 30-inch,
electronic ignition gas range, a 19.6 cubic-foot, two-door refrigerator,
and a 30-inch combination microwave. Raised-panel, ash-wood
cabinetry with accenting chrome handles as well as double hung
vinyl Thermopane windows are found throughout the unit.
General Coach has succeeded in creating an ‘at home’
atmosphere in the Estate, with an attractive Midnight Taupe
décor, beautifully trimmed furniture including the dinette
and chairs, coffee table and side tables. The well-decorated
bathroom features a darker wood finish than found elsewhere
in the Estate, and plenty of cabinet and drawer storage.
Next to the bathroom is the bedroom, containing a queen-sized
bed. The bedroom is attractively decorated, and contains numerous
drawers and cabinets to store items. Beyond the foot of the
bed, there are two closets separated by a triple-drawer dresser
and window.
The single bedroom design of the Estate makes it quite appropriate
for a couple who are looking for a well-appointed and spacious
Park Model home. (Page Top)
Breckenridge CPG LE
 Upon
entering the 46/12 Breckenridge CPG LE Park Model, the overriding
impression is of spaciousness and luxurious elegance. The vaulted
ceiling features a dormer and extra windows that provide an
immediate open and airy feeling, enhanced by the panoramic front
bay window and the 12-foot width of this attractive home.
Doug Allen, owner of Bayfield RV, close to the shores of Lake
Huron, Ontario, was our knowledgeable guide on our visit to
his dealership. Doug informed us of the many features that impress
prospective buyers when viewing this unit.
“One reason why this unit is so appealing is its generous
number of windows,” he pointed out. Vinyl single-hung
Thermopane windows with mullions and tilt, easy-to-clean features
provide a great quantity of natural light inside. We also noted
that the patio door (also Thermopane) has stainless steel rollers
for ease of operation and serviceability. These house-type windows,
coupled with a Thermopane door and double insulation, allows
for year round recreational use.
Adding to the attractive ambience of the living room was an
Angel Fire décor package (one of twelve décors
available in the LE series), as well as an entertainment center,
which can accommodate an optional television and/or fireplace.
Overhead was a paddle ceiling fan with lights in the living
room, several directional pot lights in the kitchen, and a brushed
nickel, six-light chandelier above the dinette.
The dinette area has a wood table with four matching chairs,
nicely upholstered with the Angel Fire décor fabric.
Each chair has a unique storage feature under the seat.
In the kitchen, a double, enamel sink sits central in an oak-edged
countertop, while just above is an optional overhead trapezoid
window. Kitchen appliances include a 30-inch freestanding range
with electric ignition, microwave, a 16 cubic-foot, double-door
refrigerator, and plenty of cupboards and drawers – including
a cutlery drawer and slide-out cutting board.
Down the hall is the center bedroom, which has a bunk configuration
that places a single bed above a double bed. Other configurations
are also available for the bunk or it can be left out completely.
Just left of the center bedroom is the tastefully decorated
bathroom, where you’ll find a one-piece, embossed fibreglass
tub/shower, a toilet, and a sink.
The master bedroom makes good use of space with three mirrored
wardrobe doors, a five-drawer chest, two night stands and overheard
cabinetry. Easy access to the bathroom is provided by an additional
doorway leading from this bedroom to the bathroom.
When all is said and done, the CPG is a very attractive home
both inside and out. Doug Allen aptly describes it as, “…extraordinary
living for an affordable price.” (Page
Top)
Cottager Classic 40/12
 Northlander’s
Cottager Classic Front Den model (40-feet long, 12-feet wide)
is a great example of versatile living space. The vaulted open
concept creates a generous, light-filled area for entertaining
– but reach for the discreet fold-away doors and you’ve
got private guest quarters plus a separate zone for relaxing.
Derek Jefferson, of Bluewater Golf Course & Campground/West
Coast Leisure Sales, just north of Bayfield, Ontario, showed
us the model with the Egyptian Sand décor, a welcoming
interior with honey maple finish on the cabinetry and trim.
Derek noted some of the Cottager Classic’s popular options,
such as wainscoting and chair rail, day/night blinds, dinette
bay window, and entertainment cabinet/electric fireplace for
an improved atmosphere.
Stylish, quality furnishings and storage space distinguish this
unit, along with sliding patio doors, a bathroom skylight, an
inviting master bedroom that features custom-designed draperies,
bedspread and accessories, mirrored sliding wardrobe doors and
a queen-sized bed flanked by still more storage and display
cabinetry.
The kitchen really shines, showcasing brushed pewter hardware
and black appliances. It’s fully equipped for entertaining
with a residential-style range and combination microwave/rangehood,
brushed pewter cast acrylic double sink (with pull-out spray),
lazy susan and appliance garage, expansive kitchen countertop
(with plenty of storage above and beneath), and attractive crown
molding.
Sizing up the Cottager Classic, it’s easy to imagine hosting
get-togethers or just relaxing in its well-planned, thoughtfully
crafted space – a great choice for sharing with family
and friends. (Page Top)
Golden Falcon 390C
 Glendale’s
2006 Park Model selection includes 8– and 12–foot
wide units, offering prospective owners a variety of floor plan
choices. Well constructed furniture and cabinetry, as well as
impressive sleeping space have made even the most entry-level
model in Glendale’s lineup an ideal choice.
Mike Cassidy, Glendale’s Canadian sales representative,
showed us the Golden Falcon 390C Park Model – a popular
unit with larger families looking for a reasonably priced getaway.
The unit stretches 39 feet in length by eight feet in width,
and has nearly eight-feet of headroom. Two slideouts add to
the interior space; one has an eating area (equipped with your
choice of freestanding dinette with four chairs or a dinette
booth) and sofa bed, the other slideout, in the front master
bedroom, features a wardrobe arrangement. Both slideouts are
flush-floor design. If you do opt for the dinette booth, it
can be converted into additional sleeping space, allowing the
390C to sleep up to nine people.
Upon entering through the sliding patio doors, you’ll
note the main living area consists of a living room, kitchen
and dinette. A sofa bed and corner entertainment cabinet equip
the living area. The kitchen area features two bar-style stools,
Duralam countertops, and raised panel, oak cabinet doors and
drawers with brushed nickel handles. Standard appliances include
a 16 cubic-foot refrigerator, Wedgewood three-burner range,
and 1.3 cubic-foot microwave. The freestanding dinette table
is oak-finished, and comes with four, well-crafted chairs.
Doors leading into other rooms are raised panel, adding to the
overall feel of quality. The front master bedroom has a queen
bed, nightstand, two overhead hanging lights, and slideout wardrobe
with sliding mirror doors and wood finished drawers. There are
two windows in the room, providing plenty of natural light.
You can add a television to the room as there is a coaxial cable
hookup.
In the bathroom there’s a cabinet with two swinging mirror
doors, oak finished cabinets, a sink, towel rack, bathtub, and
toilet (which can be optionally upgraded into a house-type toilet).
The second bedroom maximizes sleeping space thanks to crisscrossing
triple bunk beds. A flip-out desk folds up from under the middle
bunk, allowing the kids a place to draw, place drinks, or entertain
themselves. Two wardrobes sit in the corners across from the
beds, with a six-drawer dresser between them.
Overall, the 390C equals excellent value for the dollar. An
intelligent use of space and well-built furniture and cabinets
make this a sound choice. (Page Top) |
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