The 45-year-old family owned and operated campground will reopen April 25
as the third Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Ohio
SHREVE, Ohio, April 2014 — Whispering Hills RV Park has been owned and operated by three generations of the same family since Wayne and Ruth Murray opened the park in 1969.
But after having its own identity for 45 years, the 220-site park will reopen April 25 as the third Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Ohio.
“It’s time to take the next step,”said Curt Murray Jr., grandson of Wayne and Ruth Murray. “By being part of the Jellystone Park network, we will be able to significantly increase consumer awareness of our park in Ohio and across the country.”
Murray and his brother-in-law, Matt Smith, have already made significant improvements in anticipation of converting Whispering Hills to the Jellystone Park system.
The improvements include replacing the existing swimming pool with a newly designed heated swimming pool with hot tub and spray grounds; doubling the size of the campground office and store; remodeling the cafe into a new arcade and lounge, and transforming an existing building into a climate controlled lounge area with fireplaces, a kitchen, TVs and restrooms.
Future amenities will include a significantly improved free Wi-Fi network, a jumping pillow; a two-mile scenic walking path; mountain bike trails; as well as golf cart and mountain mike rentals.
The 220-site park has long been a popular camping destination because of its natural amenities, which include a 100-acre forest with hiking and mountain bike trails and an 8-acre fishing lake with pedal boat and kayak rentals. The campground currently has nine cabins and five luxury cabins under construction.
The park has a long tradition of having a natural attraction with its setting and the woods and the property itself. The previous manager, Roger Murray, son of Wayne and Ruth Murray, did an excellent job of keeping well maintained grounds and running a clean park with an excellent reputation.
However, as part of the Jellystone Park network, Whispering Hills will significantly expand its offering of organized family activities.
Jellystone Parks are famous for providing fun family activities and themed weekends that include everything from crafts and games to wagon rides, birthday parties with the bears and daily appearances by Yogi Bear.
In addition to activities with Yogi Bear, Boo Boo, Cindy Bear and Ranger Smith, Jellystone Parks offer themed weekend activities, such as a Chocolate Lovers Weekends with candy bar bingo, a chocolate craft and chocolate Slip N Slide; Mardi Gras themed weekends, with parades, cookouts and dances; and the increasingly popular Halloween themed weekends, which include costume and campsite decorating contests and trick or treating activities.
Curt Murray said the changes will help Whispering Hills expand its existing seasonal camper base by attracting young families with children, many of whom will simply camp on weekends or for short periods of time.
“Our goal is to diversify the makeup of the camper and focus on the weekend and the weekly camper, including young couples with families, and provide amenities for the kids,” he said.
For more information about Whispering Hills Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Shreve, please visit the park’s website at www.whisperinghillsrvpark.com.
About Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™Camp-Resorts
Launched in 1969, the Jellystone Park system is the second largest chain of campgrounds in the United States, boasting 81 campgrounds with more than 17,000 campsites and vacation rentals in 32 states and Canada. Its Camp-Resorts are among the best campgrounds in the industry with a quality reputation for being fun, friendly, clean and service-oriented parks. Additionally, each Jellystone Park is themed with Yogi Bear elements providing instant recognition and consumer appeal. It is truly a place “Where You Camp With Friends.”® Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts are franchised through Leisure Systems, Inc. (LSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Park River Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit www.campjellystone.com
