MERNA–A vision that Dave and Annette Downey have been working toward for the last three years is complete. This past Saturday, October 10, they invited friends, family, and the public to celebrate the ribbon cutting for their new campground in Merna.
Located just off Highway 2, Cuzn Eddyz Campground sits on property that Dave said he and his wife had had their eyes on for a while.
“I guess years ago before we were offered the property, I’d always had the dream of somehow having a hog stop or something during Sturgis getting people to stop here with the windmills and everything,” Downey said. “I guess I never thought we had the room to do it.”
After acquiring the land, Dave and Annette said a campground was pretty much the first idea that came to mind as to what to put there. Annette did consider a community garden for a time, however
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Dave said a lot had to be done before campers could roll in.
“There were two houses, a chicken coop, a barn, I don’t know what all was back in there. I think I took a hundred trees out,” said Dave, who added that they also planted back in a dozen or so new trees.
The campground features 17 full hookups with water, sewer, and electricity at 110v and 30/50amp. Primitive tent camping is also available. A short walk away is a brand new bath house built into the Downey Well shop complete with showers, sinks, and toilets. A washer and dryer are also available for guests.
Dave and Annette said they have already had guests from Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Colorado, and Minnesota.
Guests can visit their website anytime to book sites and submit payment. Full hookup sites are $35 a night on weeknights and $40 on weekends. Tent camping is $15 a night. They encourage you to keep up with them on Facebook as well.
Congratulations to Dave and Annette Downey on the completion of their new campground and joining the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce!
