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Escambia County Renews Contract For Lake Stone Caretaker
June 2, 2024
The Escambia County Commission is extending their caretaker agreement for the Lake Stone Campground near Century.
Dennis Keith Cole will continue to manage the facility for another year, until May 31, 2025. He will be paid $13,200 in 12 equal monthly installments of $1,100 with housing and utilities provided. Cole was first named Lake Stone caretaker in June 2013.
Lake Stone Campground is a 100-acre campground and boat ramp facility located at 801 West Highway 4. The campground has 77 campsites for everything from big RV rigs to tents. Lake Stone is the Escambia County’s only facility located on a freshwater lake. The facilities include a boat ramp , indoor public use pavilion, a playground, showers, restrooms, a fishing pier, security lights, electrical and water hookups, a sewage dump station, picnic areas and the lake.
The Lake Stone pavilion or campsites can be reserved by calling the Lake Stone campground manager at (850) 256-5555 or Escambia County Parks and Recreation at (850) 475-5220.
Since the inception of the Lake Stone Campground, the County has entered into an agreement for on-site caretaker/management services at the facility.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
13 Responses to “Escambia County Renews Contract For Lake Stone Caretaker”
Need to stock it back up with more fishes it’s fished out
My daughter and I frequently camp there with Matt and his family. Dennis is very straightforward and no nonsense. But he’s always willing to help anytime. He sees everything going on and handles it accordingly. Roll Tide Dennis!
Dennis is a blessing to all those who camp at Lake Stone. He is strict with the campground rules. The campground is always well maintained every time I visit. The grass is alway cut and the bathrooms are very clean. We always feel safe at the campground knowing Dennis is there . My advice , if you do not like rules you must not camp there.
I fish this beautiful lake at least twice a month, have never saw a gator..have saw countless deer..sometimes it’s like it’s empty so the permanent residents is off..always seems clean and manicured..no one complains when I have to crank my outboard to load up but I don’t abuse it..we don’t camp but certainly enjoy it and have caught lots if quality fish.
We have camped at Lake Stone numerous times. Dennis keeps an eye on whats going on and doesnt put up with any nonsense…thats what His job is, right??? You want a Park Manager that stays on top of things, IMO. Seems like there are always folks that want to moan and gripe about everything. We’ve never experienced any negativity from any other campers. Simply put, if You dont like Lake Stone and want to complain then PLEASE do Us a favor and dont come back. Go to Splash and pay over $100 a night
I’ve been camping at Lake Stone for the past 5 years and I have found the place to be clean, inexpensive and always having a spot open even when all other campgrounds have been full. Stone is our “go to” place when all others are full. We were just there Memorial Day weekend and there were open concrete spots along the lake. To say the campground is full of permanent campers is something other than the truth. It is still hard for me to believe that one guy is responsible for the whole campground. This guy mows, cleans, keeps the riff raff out and makes sure we are all safe. I’ve seen him at 6am, 11am, 2pm and 8pm every day of the week and even on Sundays. His salary is posted so if anyone wants to (as ZZ Top puts it) step in his shoes and take his pay, I’m sure he’d give you the key. So be careful what you wish for, the guy goes beyond his job description to make it a safe, clean enjoyable place to camp at a price you won’t find anywhere else.
Our Family has been camping there for along time. Dennis I’ve personally known since 1990. He’s a no nonsense straight forward guy that expects you to follow the rules. I’ve never been there and the facility been dirty. He runs a tight ship and I appreciate him for doing a great job. The county could invest some funds to make it even better but highly doubtful. I’m sure commissioner Barry would love to make it a more attractive place to camp and fish. As far as residents at the facility I’ve never seen any permanent resident myself but honestly really don’t care. Nobody has ever treated me or my family with disrespect period. So go enjoy one of the best places close to home.
You all need to grow up. You literally said the facilities are nice and people want to stay permanently. Alligators have nothing to do with the caretaker or camp host. I personally have never had a bad experience at this campground and I’ve been multiple times. This is a poor attempt at discrediting someone who clearly has done a good job at maintaining the campground. Find something else to do with your lives than tear down someone making half or minimum wage.
It’s a nice place to camp and fish. It’s quiet and close to town. It’s a huge property. If you don’t want permanent tenants then you might want to reconsider where you’re choosing to camp at. It’s what you make it. It’s a great close to home campground.
It is a nice facility . Never seen a “permanent” resident other than the host and the care taker, concrete pads are 2 weeks , being first come first served . Grounds kept up bathrooms cleaned ..never seen a “hostile” attitude, straight to the point yes, coddling no . Tells you what he expects .. 90% people don’t clean up after themselves
He tries to keep the entitled riff Raff out….don’t like it, don’t camp there simple . County owns the camp ground not him , he does enforce rules and there again, a lot of folks don’t think the rules apply to them..
Been camping there since 1970..seen it real rough at times … been cleaner since he has been there
Simple solution…
Don’t like it ..don’t camp there
I agree with “ disgusted”
We rented the facility for a birthday party and he was extremely rude to us and acted like he didn’t want us there. If it wasn’t for it being my little girls 1st birthday party it wouldn’t have ended well the way he tried to talk to me.
Gotta agree with Wade, accept that they are permanent residents. Another drawback to Lake Stone is the gators when fishing, they’re not scared of humans. The biggest turnoff isn’t just the permanent residents. The caretaker isn’t just the caretaker, he owns the campground, the lake & he’s king. Don’t ask questions about camping there, the first thing you’ll hear is all the things you better not do or you’ll be kicked out. It’s almost as if the Escambia County Commission gave him the lake. He has an absolutely hostile attitude & the permanent residents are the subjects of his kingdom. It’s a shame but it’s the reason very few people go there. It’s great place to live on a lake for next to nothing.
It is a nice facility and would be a great place to get away for a few days if half the campground were not occupied by what seems to be “permanent residents” that almost treat you like you’re trespassing on their property.