Your Park Maintenance Prep 4 Ways to Rev Up for Opening Day For those outside of the hospitality business, off season sounds like vacation time for park owners. But anyone in the business knows that s far from the truth. Slow periods are filled with crucial prep work to ensure you re not scrambling when the busy season hits. And park maintenance preparation should be at the top of your list. Here are four ways to get your park ready for opening day and every day.
1 BRING IN THE CLEANING POWER Your property may be a haven for outdoor lovers, but campers still expect a clean, wellmaintained property. This applies to the grounds, structures interiors and structures exteriors and it needs to be kept up throughout the year. RMS Campground s Housekeeping Module will come in handy for many of these tasks by allowing you to create custom cleaning schedules and keep track of maintenance progress. The RMS tools can provide real-time alerts, allow you to specify tasks for each structure, assign team members to tasks, and even keep track of inventory so you never run low on supplies. Clean indoor accommodations (cabins, park models, yurts, etc.) thoroughly: remove cobwebs, clean sinks and private toilets (if provided), plus ensure floors, furniture and bedding are as immaculate as possible Clean guest restrooms rigorously from top to bottom, ensuring urinals, toilets, sinks, showers and floors are hygienic and spotless (RMS Housekeeping Module can keep staff scheduled on regular intervals) Power wash structures exteriors to remove any dirt, mildew or other minor surface soils Power wash children s play structures Rake or sweep grounds by play structures to remove any possible hazards for kids Skim and vacuum swimming pool regularly Survey property for litter and debris (remove and dispose immediately) Verify signage and markings throughout campground and trails are clean, correct and legible
2 INSPECT & REPAIR Ensuring your property and all public features are in top condition is essential. To achieve this, you ll want your team to have maintenance fully completed and ready prior to opening day. As the season progresses, establish regular re-evaluation schedules so your campground s upkeep never suffers. Test soil and water for contamination and address any negative findings immediately Confirm that yearly backflow test was completed with adequate results Inspect irrigation systems and ensure sprinkler heads are working properly and nozzles are unobstructed Mow, prune and fertilize properly. Confirm that insect control is used as needed in shrubbery and trees Examine and repair fencing in contained areas, such as dog parks and dog runs Make sure hard surfaces where pedestrians walk are cleared of debris and that large cracks or holes are repaired Appraise swimming pool for serious cracks (repair as needed). Brush-clean tiles, steps and railings Inspect children s play structures and fix safety-related repairs asap Check lighting throughout the campground to ensure all fixtures are working. Change bulbs as necessary and consider switching to LED lights, which last longer and use less energy Be sure staff takes note of any vandalism, graffiti, etc., and reports to supervisor immediately. This should be fixed or painted over, well before opening day Check toilets, urinals, sinks and hand dryers for malfunctioning equipment
3 KEEP UP WITH SUPPLY & DEMAND Staying on top of inventory is mandatory not just for the launch of your busy season, but through every season. Remember that the RMS Housekeeping Module can help by creating customizable reports for inventory control and stock requirements so you ll always have a handle on your provisions. In that same line of thinking your staff should regularly check all public-use features and restock as necessary. It s easier than you think when you have RMS technology helping out. Here are just some of the stock items to remember. RESTOCK LIST Toilet paper and paper towels for restrooms Trash bags that your staff will regularly empty Bottled water, snacks, toiletries, batteries, and other convenience store items Firewood supply Doggy waste liners for your property s dispensers
4 PREPARE FOR HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL OCCASIONS IN ADVANCE Campgrounds are great destinations for holiday celebrations like Independence Day, Memorial Day Weekend and New Years and you can highlight holiday specials by adding them to the Special Events area of RMS Booking Chart. You can even add a minimum night stay stipulation to maximize bookings during that period. As the holiday approaches, make sure you have all the provisions you need to give guests a memorable stay. Think fun decorations, food, additional signage, sparklers or fireworks (keeping safety codes in mind, of course), and any other holiday-style items you may need. Don t wait until the last minute prepare well in advance for these occasions.
Getting ready for the busy season is a big job and we hope our checklist guides you through it all with ease. Don t forget, RMS Campground is here to make your campground management life easier. Not only do we simplify bookings, check-ins/check-outs, price settings, payments, utility charges and guest marketing for you but we can help you structure your maintenance to-do list for the duration of the season. Reach out to your RMS representative or support team for tips or additional information. We re available 24/7. 858-427-1200 RMSNorthAmerica.com