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04/19/2006Sprucing up at Timber RidgeRV resort gets big makeover
Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort on East Hammond Road in Traverse City features 19 cabins for rent, a banquet hall, swimming pool and miles of nature trails. There are 227 campsites with electric, water and sewer hookups. TRAVERSE CITY — Kristin Levesque stopped short during a drive through Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort on a recent morning. "Oh, they've moved another cabin," she said with a nod toward a group of workers gathered around a rustic building, one of Timber Ridge's 19 cabins. Relocating cabins, to be closer to the bathhouse, is part of major renovations that began last year at the private Traverse City campground. Levesque, 41, who owns and operates the resort with partner Gordon Waggoner, 42, said at least $300,000 in improvements will be made by the time Timber Ridge opens May 1. "This is a great park," said Levesque of the 30-plus- year-old park that includes at least five kilometers of trails. "We're just trying to bring it back to the way it was years ago." That means creating a family-friendly camping experience, she said. Along with upgrading facilities — new windows and roofing, the addition of comfortable furniture in the main lodge, wireless Internet — Levesque and Waggoner installed an outdoor fireplace. Timber Ridge hosted hot dog and marshmallow roasts during its kids-ski-free times this winter. The couple is upgrading its sewer and adding two deluxe cabins and two bunk houses that each can sleep eight people. Another big change will be a new playground, to be installed this spring. "It's an unbelievable set-up," Levesque said of the $40,000 investment. "We really need it." Next year, they'll make improvements to the pool and miniature golf course. Many locals and visitors remember Timber Ridge as the former Jellystone Park. Levesque and Waggoner are eager to make Timber Ridge just as well known. Creating a resort mascot is one way the couple hopes help Timber Ridge stand out. Nothing's definite yet, but Levesque would like the animal mascot to appeal to both children and those who frequent the grounds for mountain biking, cross-country skiing and hiking. Timber Ridge is home to the Women's Ski Tour, Vasa and Iceman events as well as the Relay for Life, slated for June 3-4. Levesque and Waggoner hope to attract more area companies, organizations and church and school groups to their 120-seat banquet hall. This fall, they plan to add to the building to accommodate 100 to 150 more seats. Timber Ridge plans a slew of events this summer, including a Father's Day weekend pig roast, First Anniversary Party and Summer Celebration June 23-25, a Mardi Gras Weekend July 28-30 and a Western Hoe Down Weekend Aug. 11-13, among other events. "It's a place people can come locally, especially with (high) gas prices. It's a nice getaway," Levesque said.
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