From skeet shoots to sold-out summers

BELLEVUE — Beneath a neon-lit sky, a roaring crowd chanted "U.S.A." as bursts of color reflected off the luscious green and gold fields of historic Bellevue. Across the street from Gotta Getaway RV Park and Campground, fireworks launched from the former Lyme Middle School grounds, capping off a weekend that intertwined America's independence with the rebirth of a local landmark. Just 20 minutes south of Cedar Point, Gotta Getaway RV Park, at 4888 U.S. 20, is quietly establishing itself as a premier regional destination. Under the guidance of owner Steve Adams, who purchased the property in April 2021, the campground is striking a delicate balance: preserving the vintage nostalgia of a traditional family campground while injecting modern, resort-style amenities. A Star-Spangled celebration The Fourth of July weekend showcased the park at its absolute best. The campground hosted its largest-ever parade, featuring campers driving the perimeter in golf carts heavily adorned in red, white and blue. The weekend itinerary was packed with family crafts, bingo, horseshoe and cornhole tournaments, along with local food trucks including Bellevue-favorite Miller's Ice Cream. A highlight of the weekend was the annual RV site decorating contest. Charles and Angie Krawetzke, who have camped at Gotta Getaway for three years, took top honors after their son, Cameron, transformed their site into a patriotic showcase. "Gotta Getaway is the perfect place to relax with family and friends and celebrate independence," Angie Krawetzke said. "We love the site decorating. We do it every year," Charles Krawetzke added. The festivities fostered a profound sense of community, a sentiment echoed by first-time and veteran campers alike. "We decided to do a little camping with the kids this week, and we came across this campground on Google," said Aryam Rivera, a first-time visitor. "I definitely recommend it. The staff and campers are super friendly and helpful. We loved it." Deep roots and local history Long before it was an RV haven, the sprawling property was known as Fenwood Shooting Park. Originally owned by the Fenn family in the 1960s, the grounds hosted nationwide skeet shooting tournaments so prominent they were featured in "Sports Illustrated" magazine. Tracy Thom, a Bellevue native who now resides in Castalia, works in marketing and advertising and has been a seasonal camper since 2022. For Thom, the campground's history is deeply personal. "In the late '70s, my brother worked at Fenwood in the skeet shoot buildings," Thom recalled. "He was in high school. He loaded the clay pigeons in the machines, and when the shooter said 'pull,' the pigeon shot out. I was allowed to swim here the year he worked." The original family home, a brick house at the entrance of the campground, still stands. It was the childhood home of Liz Fenn Kyle, Thom's former high school art teacher. Now in her 80s, Kyle lives just across the road from the park. By the late 1980s, the property transitioned into a Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Thom remembers tent camping there with her own children, hosting birthday parties amidst hayrides and park activities. Eight years ago, when she became a grandmother, she returned to those roots, eventually upgrading to an RV to accommodate her seven grandchildren. "The history of the park is what is so amazing," Thom said. "We liked the vision of the new owner, Steve. The park is safe for kids to play and make new friends. It's small enough that you don't have to have a golf cart; you can walk from one activity to the next." Thom frequently volunteers her professional skills to the park, managing social media, lining up food trucks and planning events to make her "second home" even better. Modern upgrades, local impact When Adams took the helm in 2021, he immediately sought to elevate the guest experience while investing back into the local economy. He sourced area businesses, such as Kluding Construction, to handle massive park renovations. The crown jewel of these upgrades is a high-tech, heated resort-style pool. Replacing the original 1961 installation, the new pool features a vastly expanded deck space that easily accommodated the massive holiday crowds. Beyond the water, Adams installed a white sand beach volleyball court, a gaga ball pit, pickleball courts and a 19-game arcade. "My goal has been to create a family park where we have activities for every age group, from children to adults, creating a balance so everyone has something to do," Adams said. His passion for seeing his vision come to fruition is evident in the sweat equity he pours into the property daily. "We really liked that the owner was on-site 24/7," Thom noted. "He is a hands-on worker who is there to handle any issues and is available if you need him." The upgrades are already paying dividends. "The best campground in northern Ohio," said Joel Bickhart, a seasonal camper since 2021. "Steve has done an excellent job ensuring the safety of all guests while providing a relaxing atmosphere, lots of activities and an updated new pool." Joe Lento, a Fremont resident and first-time camper, was equally impressed. "This pool is amazing, the arcade is a blast, and the playground holds a flag to both. This place is a true gem us locals just found. We haven't even left and can't wait to come back." A coast-to-coast economic engine While it remains a beloved local gem, Gotta Getaway is quietly drawing tourists from across the continent. According to the park's mid-season data, reservations have increased 10% from 2025. And 16% of the park's bookings for 2026 represented repeat visitors. Between March and July of this year alone, the campground welcomed visitors from 28 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. Guests traveled from as far west as California and Oregon to as far east as Maine and New York. This influx brings massive economic benefits to Bellevue. Nearly 43% of the park's guests are from out of state with significant surges coming from Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana and New York. On a sold-out weekend, the park averages 400 overnight guests across its 100 sites, temporarily boosting Bellevue's population by roughly 5%. These campers pour into the local community, buying gas, dining at local restaurants and shopping downtown. Cultivating community At the heart of Gotta Getaway's success is the community it fosters — a culture championed by its staff. Gavin Horn, 21, started working at the park as a lifeguard in 2021 when he was just 16. Today he serves as the park manager, handling everything from the camp store to maintenance and running the popular weekend karaoke nights. "You can form a circle with the people here because there is a sense of community," Horn said. "People mentioned the fireworks the next day and enjoyed the activities. Our holiday activities are always received very well and go over successfully." Horn's dedication to the park extends beyond his employment. "Long after I stop working here, I will return to maintain relationships, stay in touch with my friends, play cornhole and maybe even get a seasonal site. I hope nothing but prosperity for this place," he said. As Gotta Getaway looks toward the future, the park plans to honor the past. Later this summer, campers and staff will bury a time capsule on the grounds to commemorate America's 250th anniversary and the rich history of Bellevue. It is a fitting tribute for a campground that has managed to honor its vintage roots while building a modern legacy — one happy camper at a time. For more information, to view upcoming events or to book a reservation, visit campgroundohio.com.