Orchid Lake RV Resort

Orchid Lake RV Resort (OLRVR) is the place that we park the RV for the winter located in the town of New Port Richey, Florida. It is our home base of activities for exploring this part of Florida. In addition, the park has a huge list of activities that are all run by many volunteers. In today’s post, I will do an overview and look at what we do while here.

Overview

Orchid Lake as an older RV park developed sometime around 1980 as best as I could determine. There are many positive features as well as a handful of negatives. The main reasons that we return are the many friendly folks that come here, the location, and the park activities. This popular park is completely full during the winter peak months with a waiting list to get in according to the office.

The negatives are a lack of investment in infrastructure such as re-paving RV sites, re-paving roads, and replacing the RV site utility posts. These items all show heavy wear and are a bit of a nuisance. The corporation that owns the park obviously wants to maximize cash flow and until people start to go elsewhere, this may not change.

The other negative are the narrow streets with tight turns. This particularly challenging for the larger RVs like mine at 41 feet. Backing into a site that is perpendicular to the narrow street can be a pain. I need to use all the street and a few feet of the opposing neighbors lot. Most new RV parks have angled sites that make backing in much easier.

We have stayed at some high end RV resorts and a few low end parks. OLRVR falls somewhere in the middle. The monthly RV fee is $845 per month plus electricity that usually runs about another hundred. This compares to parks inland Florida with fewer attractions at $600 per month and resorts south of Tampa at $2,000+ per month. Quite a range.

This park, like many, has moved more toward stationary “park model” trailers. In fact, out of the total of 346 sites, 75% are these stationary park models. I’ve heard that keeping this 25% for RVs gives a tax advantage for the owners. These park models range from older small trailers to new modular mobile homes. They are all small at 500 sq ft or less to fit on the lots and have a patio or carport.

Most all the park models are well maintained and keeping a neat appearance is somewhat peer pressure as well as a nasty gram can be received from the office for things such as needing to pressure wash the north side of the unit to remove algae. Florida heat and humidity can be brutal on anything!

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New Port Richey, Fl (NPR)

One of our friends in the park describes how he selected this town. If you want the gulf side of Florida to find a home, the pricing scales up as you move south along the coast. Lower prices are found in the northern section and then add about $100k for every 50 miles southbound. Just like the winter temperature increases as you move south.

The northern gulf coast can be quite cold during the winter, so if you want warm temps the location is important. That is where New Port Richey has had a historical advantage. Typically a warm winter and moderate home prices. At least until the last few years as prices have been soaring. Who knows what will happen with this home pricing bubble and inflation.

The population of NPR is listed as only 17,000 people with another 3,000 in old Port Richey. This is the full-time population and in the winter may swell to 10 times this amount. Of course, NPR is included in the greater Tampa/St Pete population of 3.2 million people. So, this is a small town with big city attractions. There is also a ton of traffic with four lane roads throughout the town.

Another observation for us retired snowbirds is the amount and quality of restaurants. More than imaginable. I’m guessing 200+. No kidding. I assume that most retired folks eat out most of the time. They have many tiki-hut type open air restaurants on the water and elsewhere. From these there is every dining option from chain places to many locally owned. Not as many upscale, because this is Florida. Something for everyone.

In comparison, our home in Virginia has 16,000 people and about 20 restaurants. I’ll go into culture shock back in the VA mountains. Yep, food is right up there on the priority list for this old guy. 🙂 And it will require more time in the gym when we get back home.

Special Events

We have what I call special events a several times a month. They are one-off functions that are organized and hosted by many teams of volunteers. Some examples are holiday dinners, dances with bands, outside entertainers, and some sporting events such as pickleball tournaments.

Another annual event is the 50th wedding anniversary dinner. All those couples married for 50 or more years are the honored guests. They are waited on by the youngsters having only been married for 40 or so years. This was a dress up event!

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Amenities

To be competitive, all RV parks need to have a long list of features. Got to keep those seniors busy or else they get bored!

Shuffleboard Courts
24-Hour Access Laundromat
Pull-Through Sites (Hookups)
Pickleball Court
Nature Trail
Billiards Room
RV & Boat Storage
Clubhouse
Bocce Ball Court
Heated Swimming Pool
DIY Hobby Shop
Exercise Room

Library
Campfire Ring
Nature’s Boardwalk
Picnic Area / Gathering Spot / Firepit
Golf Driving Net
Horseshoe Pits
RV Sites
Billiards Table
Fishing
Mini Golf Course
Corn Hole
Gated Entry

Activities

Playing cards of all kinds, bingo, art time, bowling league, scrap booking, jewelry making, quilters club, weekly campfire, weekly food trucks, vespers, bible study, water aerobics, country band night, jam session, golf league, yoga, annual bazaar, weekly fresh veg truck, line dancing, Monday morning park meeting and coffee. And much more…

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We participate in a few of these each week. Plus many trips out to the beach or to museums or eating establishments.

I do enjoy my hour or two each morning having coffee and talking with a group of guys. We will either stand on 3rd street by the corner or else seek some awning when the sun gets too intense or when one of our older legs gives out. The discussion topics range the full spectrum. Always plenty of diverse input on every topic. Sometimes there is some heated debate over issues, but in the end, we all remain friends. I’ll miss this group until this next winter season.

Pat has really gotten more involved in activities this year. Her many friends and acquaintances has really grown. She is still enjoying the inside A/C and reading her books, but also walking 3-4 miles a day and visiting with her buddies.

Wrap Up

Those are my thoughts and notes on OLRVR. Some issues certainly, not perfect, but mostly good. Just like people. And the attribute we like the most is that the park has many good and friendly people. We will return again next year for our 3rd winter.

That’s all for now. Thanks for following along and reading my ramblings. The winter season here in Florida is winding down and we will soon be heading north. Next up is a review of our recent Caribbean cruise. Take care and God Bless.