The Ganong Nature Park hopes a pair of ‘nature suites’ will entice those who may not consider themselves outdoor people.
The term “glamping” – a portmanteau of ‘glamour’ and ‘camping’ – has been popularized in recent years. Think camping, without the need to rough it.
“Some people want to go camping, but they don’t have the gear. To buy gear, all of the pots and pans, the Coleman stove, the sleeping bags, the tents, all to only go camping every couple of years and have it sit in your garage,” said Ganong Nature Park Project Manager Tanya Herrington.
Herrington hopes that two nature suites will help scratch that itch, providing the public an upscale way to enjoy the nature park.
The sites will open on June 5, and offer guests a comfortable, eco-friendly space to camp. Both suites are off-grid, and feature a large screened entrance and windows overlooking the St. Croix River.
Photo courtesy the Ganong Nature Park.
“You get to experience the authenticity of sleeping in nature while being comfortable in a nice queen-size bed and clean, comfy linens,” laughed Herrington.
She added it was important to the park to make every effort to reduce the environmental impact of both sites.
They’ve included organic cotton mattresses, wheatgrass plastic dishes and upcycled furniture.
“What’s really cool is the headboard and platforms the sites are on are from wood right from the park, from trees that have fallen over the course of the winter,” Herrington said.
Herrington says they hoped to find creative ways to help people experience and discover the park, while also finding new ways to bring in revenue.
“All the revenue for the sites will actually be going to maintain the nature park,” Herrington said. “It’s a not-for-profit organization… and the park is beloved by the community members.”
She says if everything goes as planned, they’ll look to expand the program in 2022.
Anyone interested in checking out the nature suites can make a booking on their website.
