Dear Editor,
The Aug. 6 edition of the Saratoga Sun featured an editorial opposing any town involvement in a campground for bicyclists and suggested the town’s constrained budget should not have to bear the cost of an in-town bicycle campground.
It may be that Saratoga residents do not want a bicyclist campground in town, but it shouldn’t be because it will break the budget.
The town already intends to recreate Good Times Park behind the hot pool, listed by the Sun as a location having been suggested for a bicyclist campground. What if, in the process of recreating the park, the town put in three or five tent pads, a sign indicating non-motorized camping and a cash box to accept a $5/night charge?
Or, maybe some spots on Veterans Island?
The cost of doing that is not a budget buster. A five-spot campground won’t accommodate mass groups of bicyclists, but most bicyclists coming through town on the Trans-Am route come in groups of two or three. Those groups of two or three might appreciate staying in town instead of two miles out at the lake, or by-passing Saratoga altogether.
What if, by establishing that small campground, we sent the message “We’re glad you’re here and we’re open for business”? What if more of those cyclists began to blog in a positive way about Saratoga and encouraged others to stop here and spend a night or two? What if, as that word spread and when those bicyclists are “planning, preparing and researching their route” as the Sun noted, they do indeed plan to stop in Saratoga and spend some time and money?
The great thing about small public investments is you do not need a lot of return to come out ahead - and, you don’t have to commit long term to them. If it doesn’t work, shut it down.
This isn’t to say inviting bicyclists to your house for a night or two, or investing in a private campground is a bad idea. But maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to write off small public investments in attracting tourists and growing our economy?
Joe Elder,
Saratoga
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