Residents pitch glamping campground at Petty Park; council directs staff to explore lease

Lock Haven — Residents Tracy and Robert Ellis presented a plan to lease Petty Park and transform it into a primitive, off-grid campground with glamping tents and public campground amenities.

"We are hoping that we can work out a leasing agreement with possible options to buy with the city of Lock Haven and release the financial burden of maintaining the park and transforming Petty Park into an off grid primitive campground with high end glamping sites," Tracy Ellis told the council. The presentation envisioned roughly 50 campsites and 10 glamping sites, compliance with Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) guidelines, tent rentals and seasonal events to attract visitors and city revenue.

Council members recalled prior study of the property and the option of sale versus lease. Several members recommended issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to test market interest and to ensure the city receives the best long-term proposal; one council member specifically urged a quality analysis and cautioned about any language that would hamper public access. Staff and council also noted past federal funding tied to the property that may require preserving public access and clarified that DCNR models exist to accommodate leases that meet state and federal requirements.

After discussion, the council voted to direct city administration to continue exploring a lease and to review or draft a lease agreement with the Ellis proposal; council asked staff to return with an RFP and more detailed, fleshed-out proposals before any final lease.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with DCNR and the city’s community-life and public-works directors on feasibility, draft lease language and RFP scope. Council did not finalize terms or approve a lease at the meeting.