UPDATE:
The following is a letter from Bethpage Camp-Resort & Grey’s Point Camp posted on their Facebook page today (4/2/2020).
To our valued guests,
After further communication with Middlesex County, we regrettably must inform you that our seasonal opening will be further delayed. Based on the April 1 letter we received from the County, we now plan to open on Friday, May 1, 2020. Please note that this date is subject to change as we continue to assess the situation, including feedback from State and County officials.
The well-being of our guests and team members is our top priority, and we have put extensive precautions in place in the wake of COVID-19. We anticipate these precautions being in effect upon our seasonal opening on May 1st, including the cancellation of group events and activities, keeping amenities closed and encouraging social distancing practices.
We will continue to work closely with state and county officials to navigate the situation.
Sincerely,
Scott Schlick
Resort Manager
by Larry Chowning –
Due to the coronavirus crisis, the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors agreed unanimously Tuesday to close the county-owned Canoe House Beach in Jamaica District and tabled action on enforcing a Virginia code section to close all private campgrounds in the county.
On Monday, Gov. Ralph Northam closed all private campgrounds in the state to all campers with reservations for overnight stays of fewer than 14 nights. The executive order allows “seasonal campers,” those who have a permanent site during the season at campgrounds.
Middlesex County has at least four private campgrounds:
- Bethpage Camp-Resort in Urbanna.
- Grey’s Point Camp in Topping.
- Cross Rip Campground in Deltaville.
- Bush Park Camping Resort in Wake.
All have seasonal campers.
County Administrator Matt Walker informed supervisors he had communicated with owners of Bethpage and Grey’s Point and they said that they are going to open their campgrounds to seasonal campers, but that they are “highly urging” them not to come to Middlesex.
Saluda District Supervisor Pete Mansfield obviously does not want campers coming to Middlesex during the current pandemic. At the meeting, he introduced a state code section entitled “general powers and procedures of counties” that he said gives supervisors the authority to close the campgrounds due to “health, safety and general welfare” issues.
After going into closed session to deliberate on the issue, the board tabled action on closing the campgrounds.
