DECATUR, Ala. — Big changes are coming to Point Mallard Campground. The Decatur City Council voted to approve a short-term stay of up to 14 days for 'Section A'.
On Tuesday evening, the council voted unanimously to allow 'Section A' of Point Mallard Campground to be a short-term stay site up to fourteen days.
One resident says this move would not guarantee 100 percent occupancy during certain times of the year.
''If we open up this area my guess is if we're lucky, it's going to be 50 % percent full," says Terry Reynolds.
Decatur City Councilwoman for District 3, Paige Bibbee, says more people have considered camping. "Camping has become so popular. You really don't know until you try something. If A [section A] would fill up which is campers - we have a lot of folks in town who really like the recreational part of camping."
The council also voted four to one to allow monthly rates on campgrounds to increase from 548 to $649.
"We took the rate increase in 2019 after the flood. And no one really complained. Again the monthly revenue for the city of Decatur for those of us that pay monthly. This is important to Decatur," says resident Lisa Wininger.
Point Mallard Campground Park Manager Stephanie McClain says this site offers certain amenities comparable to other parks."Again this also comes back to the area that Point Mallard is. We do offer a golf course, a water park and those trails and things are residents and campers alike enjoy.
Point Mallard Park collects an additional 6% city lodging tax on campground sites for individuals staying fewer than 180 days.