RV PARK GEARS UP TO MAKE A
Splash IN MILTON
by Josh McGovern
Tucked away in Florida’s northern corner, a new type of park is on the upswing as the more affordable alternative to south Florida amusement parks. Disney and Busch Gardens, as well as Universal and Islands of Adventure, hold tremendous capital in Orlando and Tampa and have been the pinnacle family experience for decades. But for Pensacola residents looking for family fun closer to home, RV parks are the way to go. Craig Kruse, known for his real estate and commercial projects in the Panhandle, seized an opportunity. The Navarre-based businessman and owner of the Santa Rosa RV Park hopes to draw in weary travellers heading for Disney. Their stop? Milton, Florida, the small Panhandle town east of Pensacola. “The opportunity presented itself. The property is absolutely beautiful,” Craig Kruse said of his property. “Something that’s not been done around here, so we’re excited. Long time coming, man.” At the corner of Interstate 10 and Highway 87, Splash RV Park will feature a number of high-end amenities: a scenic lazy river, zipline, numerous pools, dog parks, an amphitheater, more than 80 bungalows and a wedding chapel. Newlyweds won’t have to go far as Splash plans to have honeymoon cottages. There will also be the option to rent out kayaking equipment for those wanting a little adventure on the lake. Splash park’s location will put visitors within close
22 | Business Climate | 2020 / 2021 Annual Real Estate
proximity to Navarre Beach. Splash RV Park will also feature a unique form of lodging. Craig Kruse plans to bring in a dozen covered wagons equipped with air conditioning, bunk beds, and/or queen sized beds. It’s clear the 50 acre, $14 million development is anything but small, which something that could spell danger for Splash in Milton. Despite Milton being a small homegrown town, its residents do not have small voices. Late in 2019, a different luxury RV park set to open in Milton found trouble parking itself in the community after a rezoning proposal faced tough resistance. It was subsequently denied and the project’s development halted in its tracks. The development team will have to forego another twelve month waiting period-the best case scenario being six months-before they can have another chance at passing the rezoning proposal. Despite legal resistance, some Milton residents support new developments. Bill
Sonny Garland, a current Milton resident, spoke up in favor of Splash RV park. “I think this is great! The RV community is growing so much in recent years and they all need more accessible hook-up sites,” Bill said. He continued and reminded those of us looking in from the outside that the RV parks can be just as essential to working men and women as much as they may be a necessity to vacationing families. “We are members of a group of 1,000 missionaries that travel the USA and Canada working with our churches, children’s homes, bible camps and colleges. Sixty percent of these volunteers live full time in the RVs. We have our home office in Marshall, Texas right on the interstate and another main campus we have is in Mount Dora, Florida. We bought a home right off Avalon so they could stop by while traveling between these two locations. I think it’s great.” Splash RV resort garnered enough support in a tide of change to keep it alive and with an expected 2021 opening date, barring the summer threat of hurricanes. Travelling homes in Milton can expect more than just a place to park. At the corner of Interstate 10 and Highway 87, a destination resort is on its way.
