A pair of arches rose last week at the Dublin-Stephenville KOA campgrounds on FM219 as a testament of its continuing growth to benefit its guests, residents and the Dublin community.
Ken Stephens, who owns the property with Jordan Ditty, was overseeing the construction Feb. 13 as he showed off the new cabin structures.
The 12’x14’ cabins will potentially sleep up to six guests and include: a porch with outdoor seating and fire pit area, a loft with a rear window, bar seating in front of windows looking out, a TV in line with the loft to be visible throughout the cabin, and a mini-split unit to provide heating and AC.
Stephens said the steel frame and design makes the structure very durable and they will be insulated to regulate temperature.
Manager Sharon Low said these are being called camping cabins and there are plans for furnished deluxe cabins with plumbing and a kitchen area.
Stephens added that they are considering a third option for potential long-term residents who want a small, furnished space and to take advantage of the site’s amenities.
Since purchasing the site, Stephens and Ditty have doubled the site’s size and added playground equipment and outdoor games as well as a retail space to accompany the site’s Laundromat.
As he was surveying the cabin construction, Stephens said the long-term goal is for up to 16 cabins leading to a recreation hall for residents and guests and a swimming pool on the front of the property.
The site is also proud of its designation as a Kampgrounds of America KOA ‘journey’ site.
“People see it’s a KOA site and they know it’s safe and clean,” said Low.
Stephens added that there have been studies that show retired travelers will drive up to 100 miles out of the way to stay at a KOA site since they are so trusted.
The Dublin site adheres to the promised security with fencing and cameras through the common areas.
It also provides free utilities and WiFi for its residents and guests.
As the only recognized campground for Tarleton, the site has several students living onsite with family who stay there when visiting. Marketing coordinator Kristen Russell also said there are several generations of a couple of families on site since it is so family friendly.
Low said the ‘journey’ designation is usually rated for single night stays, but they are seeking to make it a ‘holiday’ site for multiple night stays with the increase in features and events.
Since October, the site had a pumpkin patch and fall festival available to the public as well as a Christmas tree farm in December.
They are also scheduling mini events, such as a community campfire on the second Wednesday of every month and seeking to join with the community for planned events (like St. Patrick’s Day) as well as hold things of their own. This will be expanded as facilities are built and improved.
“We want to be participants in the community, not just the business at the end of town,” said Stephens. “We are trying to coordinate where we’re not competing.”
To foster this, the site is evaluating ways to better serve the local community as well as its guests with one recent addition being propane tank sales when the office is open (10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday).
For more information on the Stephenville-Dublin KOA site, call (254) 9793967 or visit https://koa. com/campgrounds/stephenville/