Customer ReviewsforDuttona Family Campground

We had a site premium reserved for the 2022 season. When we arrived with our trailer we were told, that the site was not ready and were given a another site. Which was very muddy and not private. When we expressed our dislike for the site we were told it was up to us to landscape the lot, which was only supposed to be temporary. The "beach" is very small and a fair slippery hike. Pool opened late in season. Washrooms seemed to be rarely open Sewage is a joke. The campers on both sides of us left early in the season and we followed suit. Very disappointed in the owners promises and what is actually included. I realize it is a work in progress but not worth the money. Have it a one star for the view. Staying a new site for 2023. Money well spent

*********************** . Sewage and hydro problems . Evicted a lot of long time campers

Yes! This campground needed some work. From when it was allowed to open in 2021, until fall cleanup days many changes were made, many plans for changes were made, some people liked it, others not so much. I have been a seasonal camper at a few campgrounds and only here so far for the 2021 season. Covid did result in more restrictions, new owners/management, construction and daily changes did affect access and different activities at the campground. We got a copy of the rules and regulations with registration and the general rules were attached to every invoice. Not a problem, we read them and abided by them as we did not see they were unreasonable compared to other campgrounds and the current pandemic. Were there sites that needed a "little tidying"? Yes there were. Were there rules that needed to be enforced for the benefit of all campers who wanted to enjoy the park? There always is. Undertaking ownership and responsibility of a campground that so many of the campers are long term and used to a lot of flex in the regulations is an enormous, tedious, mostly thankless task. Not only have these new owners had to deal daily with disgruntled long term campers who do not like the new rules, they are also trying to revitalize the property and work with the municipality to bring things up to code. All that does not happen overnight and can/does take years. When I walked the park during the last fall cleanup days, the park, although a bit barren in spots due to empty lots, was much more beautiful and relaxing. You could actually see the lake from the camping area. You could see the work and progress that was being done. Yes, there is a big financial investment in a park, having to have a large turnover in clients is an enormous risk as well as some of the infrastructure changes that they have had to make. Hats off to the new owners for stepping up to a challenge most others would not even consider. I am eagerly awaiting the opening into he spring to see and enjoy the results of their hard work and determination to upgrade this park to the true potential it has.

******************************** They have a "vision" and they are quick to tell you what it is. *************************************************************** ************************************************ I'm fully aware that it is their property and can do what ever it is they wish to do. However, the way they treated everyone was very harmful and wrong. Will speak moral ethics in a bit.
First, I would like to speak regarding their lack professionalism and the environmental disasters.
This was my first year ever as a seasonal camper. My family and I met the owners. They took us around the park and told us of the things they plan to do in the coming months. They also told us that they had plans in the coming years to update older trailers and fix the park up to attract new people. These plans sounded great. My family and I decided to stay. Well....we didn't even make it the full season.
Once we got settled in, it was then we seen the true side of these two people. Open arms and warm heart? Not at all.
They quickly changed and the awkward and uninvited smile was soon upon us.
Our children getting in trouble for garbage at the park. Note; there was no trash can until I said something. And my children were always the ones cleaning up because we were across from the park.
My septic tank was full. When I asked to have it pumped, I was told they couldn't because my septic is going into old oil drums that have the bottoms cut off. So there is no way of pumping it because they aren't actual septic tanks. So I was told to find another hole in the ground and dump my waste into another barrel.
And that's not even the worst of it. We had friends that experienced the same issue, except theirs were bubbling out of the ground and running down into the ravine where the creek leads into Lake Erie. So not only did their system leak, but it also leaks into a major body of water. Let me add...This is not just one site either. This is many sites. I later found this out as people started talking. And because people started talking....the owners decided to skip their short term vision and go right too their 3 year vision. They made every campers life miserable and un-enjoyable. New rules were being implemented and all we got for an answer when approached was; it's my park and I can do what ever I want". And that's when people started getting evicted. Every weekend, someone was being evicted or pushed around.
Now I'm not going to go into details about how morally wrong it was. Nor will I share how sad it was to see all these wonderful people we had met get pushed around. Many with 40+ years there being tosssed. I'll let you read the ****** reviews.
I would like to speak about my experience and when I had told them I was leaving.
I won't explain why I left. But let's just say the campground was empty due to all the unnecessary evictions. And I felt the campground was deemed unhealthy for my family as well as the environment.
So I had already paid for my deposit and winter storage for the following season. They had asked for everyone's payments later in the season for next years payment. I had no issues paying. I was enjoying my season with the friends I had made, and wanted to keep good with the owners. The weekend where it was the "end of our seasonal contract" we had our falling out with the owners. We had a "noise" complaint. They said someone was complaining about the noise at 930. Well. There was no one. They kicked everyone out and we knew who was all left that weekend. We expressed our differences and asked for our money back and that we would be gone by the weekend. Note; it was still in the season that we had already paid for. We spoke to them again in the morning and they agreed to pay us in full because we only paid for our deposits for the winter months and for next season. Sunday morning. We get an email telling us for each day we stay, they were going to minus 70 dollars a day from our deposit. We packed and left. When we got our refund back. They took 3 days from our deposit.
I could show proof and I did contact a lawyer and could fight this. Yes, I could win. However, I have a small family and don't have the time to go too court for such a small amount of money.
I'm sure you reading this, have many questions or comments. As you should. It's in our human nature too ask questions and show "concern". However, I'm not looking for anything. What I'm doing is informing you "the readers", not to go here. This park is very run down. The owner are not who they portray themselves to be. They chose not to work with anyone or help anyone out. They simply pushed everyone out that raised concern and plan to start over fresh. Well good for them. They need to start fresh. But if you want to be the new. Be sure to cros your T's and dot your I's. Read the other reviews and go check it out for yourself.
But don't say I didn't warn you