May 10, 2007 By Christine Haines 4 min read

OHIOPYLE – The campground at Ohiopyle State Park was booked to capacity over the weekend, according to park manager John Hallas, but everyone had to leave Monday when the state failed to adopt a budget and the park was closed. Hallas told campers that no legal action would be taken against them if they stayed, but the shower houses would be closed and other park services also would come to a halt.

“I’m only concerned about the safety of the visitors in the campground while the park is closed,” Hallas said. “With only two of us living in the park, it’s not the same as having a ranger on foot in the campground until 2 a.m.”

Hallas said the campers would receive a full refund.

For some, though, money wasn’t the issue. They had planned their Ohiopyle vacations for quite a while.

“We got here Saturday afternoon. We had reservations for the whole week,” said Ted Cholewa of LaPort, Ind. “They said there was a possibility this would happen. We’re thinking of going down to West Virginia, down to Coopers Rock State Park. We camped here last year and it was great. They said they would refund the difference, but there’s nobody here to refund the difference. I’m sure they’ll make it good.”

Hallas said campers who paid by credit card would see the amount refunded within the next few weeks. If no refund is posted within six weeks, he said the campers should contact the park.

Matt Nichols of Mantua, Ohio, arrived at the campground late Monday morning with seven of his friends. They had been planning their trip for the past three months and had two campsites reserved.

Anita Fordham and Penny England of Georgia were packing up their site around noon and were looking for another campground for the remainder of their vacation.

“You’re talking to two Georgians who are upset,” Fordham said.

Fordham said Ohiopyle is the perfect place to camp because of the sights and activities.

“Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, the bike trail – it’s fantastic,” Fordham said.

Fordham and England said they had planned to stay at the park until Friday and still consider it a great place to visit.

“We’re just upset with the Legislature,” Fordham said.

Maria Mayija Manson of Cleveland, Ohio, said her family was warned that the park might close because of the budget.

“They said they weren’t going to chase us out of here because there wouldn’t be enough people to round up the last of us,” Manson said.

Her 9-year-old daughter, Helena Juliana Manson, noted that even on Sunday there was no soap in the dispensers in the bathrooms, with a note saying it was because of the budget problems. The family left the park a day earlier than they had planned.

Bob and Mary Henderson, who live outside of Philadelphia, had planned to spend two nights in the park before returning home today. The Hendersons said Ohiopyle was actually a destination for them on their trip, not just a place to stay while they did something else.

Waiting to find out if the park would be opened or closed was like waiting for a reprieve from the governor, Bob Henderson said.

“We called ahead. Even yesterday (Sunday) they were saying they expected to hear from the governor by 3 p.m.,” Bob Henderson said.

Hallas said no action would be taken against campers who stayed, but he wanted them to make informed decisions. Hallas said Ohiopyle State Park, with more than 19,000 acres, is the largest land-based park in the state, with an active municipality and state roads running through it.