HOULTON, Maine — Campers who visit My Brother’s Place, a campground in Houlton, can expect to see new faces when they arrive to check in for their stays.
The campground, which was owned by Sally Nickel, has been purchased by sisters Marlene Greenlaw and Michelle Barnard, together with their husbands, who are both named David.
The Greenlaws already owned Bucksport/Fort Knox KOA campground located in Bucksport, which the Barnards would help manage. When the opportunity arose to acquire My Brother’s Place, the two families decided to go into a partnership in purchasing it, running the new campground in the same fashion as the Bucksport location.
The new ownership will also bring the campground under the franchise of Kampgrounds of America, the largest group of privately owned campgrounds in the country.
There are plans to upgrade the campground’s wi-fi service and install a new office, according to David Barnard. Several other changes have been made to how the campground operates, with people donning masks if they enter any buildings on the property.
“We’re going to try to run more activities to draw more families, make it very family-oriented,” he said.
“All we’re doing is looking to enhance the cabin experience,” said David Greenlaw. “We’re trying to get more people in the area, which with KOA usually happens because it’s a big brand.”
Campgrounds in Maine have taken a hit financially this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic originally limiting out-of-state travelers. My Brother’s Place has also been affected by the border closure between the United States and Canada.
But David Greenlaw said despite any setbacks, places like My Brother’s Place provide the perfect getaway for being safe and socially distanced.
“Camping is the epitome of social distancing,” he said. “Think about it. You can stay in your own RV. If you want to go out and about you can, if you don’t you got your own spot. Yet you’re still enjoying the outdoors.”
