Hidden Lakes RV Resort is open for business

Matt Doan, of Doan Concrete, in front of the state-of-the-art clubhouse at Hidden Lakes RV Resort

by Marsha Chartrand

What was once a gravel mining operation in the northeast corner of Manchester Township has transformed into what is likely to become an outdoor mecca in the Manchester area.

Hidden Lakes RV Resort, on Parr Road just north of Gieske, held its grand opening last weekend with fanfare and style. The enterprise, co-owned by Matt Doan of Doan Concrete and Bill Lester of Lester Brothers, is the product of a long-term plan for reclamation of the property, which actually stopped mining gravel back in 2005 or 2006.

"We purchased the property in 1998," Doan explained, "to supply our concrete plants in Jackson, Washtenaw, and Lenawee Counties. We ran out of materials in about 2006 and our contract required us to make a plan for restoration of the property. Originally, we thought we'd do a subdivision. It seemed like a great idea at the time.

"But then came the market downturn of 2008."

The great idea didn't seem so good any more. So it was back to the drawing board for the Doans.

"We gave it a few years," Matt said. "By 2012 we realized that residential just wasn't going to work. We had lots of ideas, but an RV resort wasn't one of them, until I talked to a friend, Tony Brook, from South Haven. He had created an upscale RV resort on that side of the state, and he came over and took a look at this property. He found that the lakes and terrain were unique and would make a great RV resort. So we started back on our reclamation plan with that in mind."

Manchester Township took a bit of convincing, he said, but eventually with the addition of Lester to the team, they could convey their vision for the project and eventually all entities were on the same page. And then another disaster hit; the COVID pandemic of 2020.

"That set us back a bit again," Doan says, "Then we realized that this was actually a gift in disguise. People wanted to be outdoors. There was a demand for camping areas. This was going to be bigger and better than we had thought."

Doan added that the RV Park is exactly one mile from downtown Manchester, and that statistics show that each person staying at an RV resort tends to spend between $28-44 per day in the adjacent community. So the resort should provide a boon for the local economy, as well. The township is working on creating a short link for golf carts between the resort and the village limits, which should make traveling into the village even simpler for campers.

With amenities that include concrete roads and parking pads, pull-through sites, 50-amp full hookup, Wi-Fi, a salt water pool (coming later this month), two lakes for fishing, paddle boats and kayaks; a clubhouse with camp store, showers, full kitchen, 75" flat-screen TV; and with outdoor patio with gas fireplace and grill, there is everything you could want for a couples' or family getaway in your RV. The sites are pet-friendly; golf carts are welcome.

The manager, Sterling Scheel, notes that there will be periodic events and entertainment throughout the season, including live bands, food trucks, family and children activities, pancake breakfasts, and an annual golf outing and beer/wine bus tour for seasonal residents to enjoy.

Currently there are 52 sites available and rates begin at $75 per night. Phase 2 and Phase 3 will begin this fall, which will expand the offerings greatly and additional sites and activities will be planned correspondingly.

The community is safe and gated and quiet hours are enforced for everyone's comfort. Stop out and see how comfortable you can be close to home at Hidden Lakes RV Resort.

Aerial view of campsites and grounds, courtesy of Pat and Dwayne Vailliencourt

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.