A Visit to Ellacoya State Park is Still Fun…Just a Little More Interesting
A Visit to Ellacoya State Park is Still Fun…Just a Little More Interesting
By Mark Okrant
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we hear daily counts of new cases. What those reports do not to tell is how the lifestyles and livelihoods of countless other individuals have been impacted. With recreation and tourism being the second leading contributor to New Hampshire’s economy, and the state parks system engendering more than $5 million in annual revenue, it is interesting to look closely at COVID’s impact upon one of this state’s recreation treasures—Ellacoya State Park.
Ellacoya is a 65-acre property managed by the New Hampshire Bureau of Park Operations. Situated in Gilford, along the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, Ellacoya is divided into two sections—a day-use beach area and an RV campground. The two areas of the park share 600 feet of beautiful sandy beachfront, as well as a gorgeous view of the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains across a broad expanse of the state’s largest lake.
During COVID-free summer seasons, day visitors have been provided with a range of services. By paying a low entry fee - $5 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 11, and no charge for New Hampshire seniors - visitors could utilize a picnic pavilion, a changing area and bathhouse with showers, as well as a beach store that carried various refreshments and souvenirs. With its abundance of picnic tables and a playground, Ellacoya has been a delightful spot for generations of individuals, couples, and families of all ages to enjoy.
The Ellacoya RV campground is laid out in a herringbone pattern, with four rows comfortably accommodating a total of 37 recreation vehicles; however, tents are not permitted. The campground provides three-way hook ups, a dumping station, a small craft boat launch, and an indoor shower-laundry facility.
In search of a better understanding of how the pandemic has impacted the state’s outdoor recreation areas, this author met with Ellacoya State Park’s nine-year veteran manager, Paul Jensen. Paul has a positive, hands-on attitude and arrived wearing a facemask; it is obvious that he is taking the threat we are facing seriously.
COVID-19 was already in the state when the RV park opened at its traditional date during the Memorial Day weekend. However, to adjust to the pandemic, the campground remained at one-half capacity, with only New Hampshire residents permitted. It was not until the end of June that the campground was opened at its full capacity, at which time out-of-state residents also were allowed to enter. Out-of-state visitors at Ellacoya and New Hampshire’s other state campgrounds are required to attest that they have quarantined under strict standards for 14 days prior to their arrival.
While walking through the RV park, one cannot help but notice that campers seem very relaxed, with several going out of their way to make conversation. I took this as a sign that the 2020 season’s regulations weren’t causing undo stress. So, I asked Jensen what specific changes he had made, and which have been the most difficult to implement.
Paul Jensen, Ellaocya State Park manager
He informed me that because of the spacing between campsites, there was no concern about distancing while sitting outside one’s RV. However, in the face of COVID, new camp rules call for people to remain at least six feet apart while on the beach or conversing in a group. Masks must be worn inside the park office. The showers and laundry facility will remain locked throughout the season. Jensen foresaw no problems in enforcing these regulations. However, his shoulders slumped briefly as he told me about one additional rules change in the campground area.
“Our community fire ring has been cancelled for the season.” He went on to explain that the ring is one of the traditional social highlights for campers at Ellacoya. Asked if people expressed disappointment about its absence, Jensen seemed to be smiling behind his mask. “No, folks have been remarkably understanding. They realize that it’s not something we want to do either.”
The pandemic has had a more noticeable impact upon the experience provided on the day visitor side of Ellacoya. Under normal circumstances, the parking lot for the beach would be at full capacity—225 cars—on a busy weekend. That has not been a concern this season. Instead of its usual opening day on Memorial Day weekend, the beach was opened on June 19 with the total number of people permitted to visit limited to 180, a figure that was expanded to 225 at the end of June.
Like their campground counterparts, this season’s day visitors will need to have a reservation in order to be admitted to the park. The full impact of this decision is felt primarily during busy weekends, when the beach at Ellacoya could easily accommodate may more on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Jensen is not insensitive to the beach-goers’ plight. “I worry that someone will show up on the 4th of July without a reservation [this interview took place a few days before the 4th of July holiday weekend], thinking they can just pay and go to the beach. I know that people are disappointed when they learn we can’t admit them.” Jensen hopes disappointed patrons will be understanding and not take out their dissatisfaction on his staff.
Those who do gain admission will need to adjust to a new set of circumstances. While people are not required to wear masks outdoors, they are expected to keep at least six feet away from others. The showers and changing facility are off limits this year, and only two people at a time will be admitted to the restrooms. Also, Ellacoya’s popular little beach store will not be open this season.
Despite these changes, the demand for space at the popular state beach remains strong. Asked how COVID has impacted his job, Jensen immediately shifted concern toward his staff and guests at Ellacoya. “We’re down staff numbers because of the pandemic. That means fewer people must do more to keep the park running.” A major responsibility is cleaning restrooms on a two-hour schedule. And the staff needs to remember to wear masks.
As we concluded the interview, Jensen returned to his concern about campers. He seemed sincerely apologetic for something over which he has no control: “The absence of the fire pit and music being played there changes the entire community atmosphere at the RV area. And trying to interact with one another through face masks changes everything.”
Owing to the willingness of Paul Jensen and his staff to accept responsibility, a visit to Ellacoya State Park continues to be a pleasant experience. It remains for visitors to do their part by employing a six-foot radius and wearing a mask as often as possible.
For information about Ellacoya State Park, call 603-293-7821 or visit www.nhstateparks.org for details and ticket reservations.