Just wrapping up a 14 day stay at Topsail. This is our third year coming to this terrific park, however I am quite concerned in the direction this place is going.
First, I will say that no matter what, this park is still one of the best we have visited. But I have seen the quality / standards starting to slide.
Here are some things we noticed and were informed of this year:
1. Effective July 1st, 2008 Golf carts, electric scooters and so forth are now permitted in the park. They also plan to rent golf carts sometime in the future! Our last day here and we have now seen 4 sites with carts already.
2. Addition of 40 tent camping sites. I have no problem with tent campers, but doesn't sound or appear that they will have some of the restrictions that are now in the RV sites (no clothes lines, screen rooms, eazy up's etc)
3. Paved roads being installed to lake. Replacing some of the jeep/hiking trails with paved access to the largest of the lakes on the preserve. Plans are to install a concession stand and rent boats for the lake.
4. Total disrespect of facilities. I've seen it all in two weeks. From kids breaking shuffleboard, bathrooms and facilities to people not cleaning up after their dogs. (We have a dog and don't have issues with pets here). Have not seen a ranger in the park one time in two weeks...many helpers, but no rangers. Two years ago when we visited you parked your bike in the wrong place and the ranger would pay you a visit.
We are voicing our concerns to the staff today, and I hope others do as well. Part of the reason this park is so nice and pristine is because of the restrictions that have adhered to in the past. I hope these changes do not deteriorate the quality of this park.
I don't see a problem with Golf Carts has long as the owners keep kids off of them .These days carts are quiet and i have seen many used by park employees and never seen a problem .Now i'm going to make some people mad .There is no bigger problem than some kids on bikes in a park !!I did say some kids .
Well they better have a Ranger around to police the golf cart usage especially when they start renting their own fleet.
We had a guy (an adult) playing with a remote control car in front our Topsail site a few years back. He didn't hang around too long probably cuz he saw my DH's evil look and noticed his knuckles were getting white gripping the chair.
Me - I was ready to pick up the dang thing and ask him "Now which way to Atlanta?" But secretly I wanted to stomp all over it.
Lucy
2006 Allegro Bus 40' DP
2005 Grand Cherokee
Visit Here's Lucy for CG reviews, trip experiences, etc.
Well guess I will have to wait and see what happens with the golf carts. We are heading out tomorrow for our first time at Topsail and I was excited to hear they didn't allow golf carts. Oh well so much for that Last year we went to Pirateland in Myrtle Beach for the first time and my nephew got ran over there were so many of them. We said no more and found Topsail.
So I will wait and see and read about what goes on and see if it will turn into a nightmare.
Mike and Michelle and 2 kids
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4
2008 Rockwood 8313SS
Equalizer hitch with Envoy brake controller
I like using the golf cart but agree there should be rules like no one under 16 or must have valid drivers license and some state you must show proof of insurence on the cart.. as long as they would have rules like above and follow the rules of the road I am ok with it.
my 2 cents
2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty, Amarillo Special Edition 4 X 4 & 6.0 PSD,
Tow Haul/Tow Boss/Tow Command, 18" load E tires standard.
Me, a Wife and two crazy kids
2006 Holiday Rambler, Next Level 38FKS
Golf carts are now allowed at Topsail (effective July 1), but the only "scooters" or other motorized traffic allowed must be street legal. Electric scooters that cannot legally be on the highway are still not allowed in the park.
There is a pretty good set of rules that they have at the office (should be on the website at the next update):
Cart must have a top speed of less than 30 mph (if the cart is capable of speeds higher than this, its out)
Drivers must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid drivers licence
Carts can only drive on paved roads (no sidewalks, paths, trails, or tramways).
Carts can only be operated during daylight hours
Carts must have safety devices such as reflectors and reverse alarm; and must be in safe mechanical condition
Personally, I don't have a problem with carts - especially if they are parked at night.
They are only adding 18 tent sites, and they will have their own set of rules when they are ready. I remember when TS didn't allow pop-ups, and everyone thought it was going to go downhill when they lifted that ban. With all the money that Topsail is getting, I think that it is good that folks that only tent camp get to enjoy it as well. I don't think Topsail will allow that area to become a sea of tarps and clotheslines.
From what I hear, the path around the lake will help many more people enjoy the area than before. The concession stand will be exactly what is at the beach; a bathroom with a vending machine and water fountain.
I hate that the OP had to deal with those issues with the condition, but I believe that it is not a sign that the place is going down hill. I have had some times at Topsail in the past where some rowdy kids were allowed to play with the equipment rough, destroyed the BH, and just generally acted stupid. This is the main reason that I quit staying there when school was out. It is much more pleasant in February, May, September, and November
As far as the golf carts are concerned, I guess we will just have to wait and see how that plays out. I don’t foresee them enforcing the rules because I’ve seen how they enforce the pet rules. They Don’t!
As far as the tent section being allowed to have a clothes line up and putting down a screened-in canopy, give them a break.
One of the reasons they don’t allow it on the RV sites is the sprinkler system and probably the underground utilities.
This is a state park and everyone is welcomed. It's for everyone!
* This post was
edited 07/11/08 04:41pm by floridacamper *
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Last year we went to Pirateland in Myrtle Beach for the first time and my nephew got ran over there were so many of them. We said no more and found Topsail.
