CONGRATS TO ROBYN, TIM AND THEIR STAFF ! What an accomplishment !

MEADVILLE, PA (April 20, 2011) – The Brookdale Family Campground is the latest campground in Pennsylvania to be invited to join the 475-park Kampgrounds of America system. KOA is the largest and most recognized camping franchise in the world, with campgrounds in the U.S. and Canada.



This well-known and highly rated campground has been renamed the Meadville KOA. The campground has a 33-year history of serving camping families, and also has a rich area heritage.



The McClemens family, who originally purchased the land from the Holland Land Company in 1893, built a homestead and barn at the site in 1914, in an area known at that time as McClemen’s Flats.



In 1945, the Roae family purchased the property and turned the farm into an auction barn and built ponds for a fish hatchery, where they raised and sold flathead minnows for fishing in Pymatuning Lake. In 1978, they turned the auction barn and farm into Brookdale 1914 Campground, taking the name directly from the date on the old red barn and the brook that runs through the center of the property.



According to current owners Tim and Robyn Chilson, people still ask if there used to be a big barn with roller skating in the top of it at the campground. The barn served as the main building complex for the campground until it burned in 1984. The campers helped rebuild the main building, which now serves the campers and local community with a seasonal mini-mart store. The building also houses a recreation hall, game room, restrooms and showers, and a laundry facility for campers.



The Chilsons purchased the campground in October 1999. The Chilsons have continued to expand the campground, adding ten additional 50-amp pull-through campsites, a camping cabin, two lake-front deluxe rental cabins, a mini golf course, a new playground, a jumping pillow, pedal karts, and WiFi to the park. “As the technology changes and RVing changes, we have to expand our infrastructure to not only meet our customer’s expectations, but to exceed them,” said owner Tim Chilson. “We’re honored to have been invited by KOA to join their organization, which is known for being on the cutting edge of bringing the very best to campers and RVers on an international level.”



According to Chilson, the campground is highly rated nationally. “We’ve worked hard to achieve high ratings from both industry directories and our customers through their reviews of our park over the past 11 years,” he said. “Partnering with KOA will open our campground to new campers and allows us the honor of serving them with the same great service and family fun that we provided as Brookdale Family Campground and they expect from KOA.”



In addition, Chilson added that the interest in seasonal camping has increased for 2011. “Seasonal campers,” Chilson explained, “are people who park their RV at the campground for the entire summer. When camping seasonally, they can drive more economical vehicles to the campground instead of towing, and save money on fuel. That way, they get the maximum use of their RV for minimal costs.”



The Chilson family hopes the business will continue to grow by introducing more people to the fun and family-oriented events and activities they provide at the campground. “We do a host of fun events and activities every summer,” Chilson said. “This year, we are joining KOA’s Come Kamp & Care With Us Weekend! Campers who stay as paying guests on Friday, May 13 will receive a free night of camping on Saturday, May 14. We will do fundraisers that weekend and be asking our campers for donations to support the 44 KOA Care Camps for kids with cancer that are located around North America.



“We’ll be hosting a grand opening in honor of becoming a KOA on May 21st, complete with a parade and ribbon cutting,” Chilson said. “And, we’ll offer campers who stay as paying guests on May 20 will receive May 21st free for our Grand Opening Weekend! Kids can participate in our free crafts and ride their bikes in the parade through the campground! We’ll also be running specials and discounts this summer. We’re not just celebrating joining KOA on one weekend. We’ll be celebrating it all summer long!”

Could someone please correct the spelling of Brookdale on the main page. Thanks

Got it !

Thanks !

I looked around on the website Main Pagge all over for it...

I appreciate you pointing it out !!!

Pagge??? thanks, looks better.

Will this be better? I mean the campground is very good as it is. Usually rates go higher at KOA, and the camp store looks badly comercialized. Years ago KOA was joked about around the firepit as "Keep Our Arms" we want the legs back. lol I hope the campground keeps its uniqueness & doesn't become a cookie cutter KOA.