It is almost that time of the year when some managers are counting down to a peaceful winter, while others are counting the days until their winter crowd arrives. Many managers create a 'todo' list for major projects that often aren't applied until just before the next season. However, getting ready to open for a new season is probably already filled with too many things to do.

With attendance dwindling and the weather not yet bad, it is a great time to: update the power lines to the sites that keep blowing the breakers. replace a problematic power box or two, swap out faucets that won't shut completely off, fix those always corroding cable connections, and trim out some tree limbs, etc.

Some older parks didn't expand as the camping rigs became bigger and now their utilities are magically in the wrong place. I see comments like this in the RV review sites online: “Bring two extra sewer hoses, an extra water hose, and thirty more feet of power cable and then you'll love this campground!”

If you have this problem, move a few each fall and spring as you can. Gradually, your guests that felt the connections were awkward, will begin to return and the reviews will talk about your beautiful park instead.

The more you can 'fix' during the fall, the easier things will be in the spring! And you'll have time for those inevitable, last minute emergency fixes, too.

Our snowbird parks are probably already working hard for their big season, but come late April, they could follow these same tips to get ready for next year.

Making your park better is like putting money in the bank, and the interest you'll receive will not only be more reservations, but better guests as well.

Remember, never put off today, what you're going to have to do tomorrow!

Copyright 2009 by GTI Consulting