Harrington Beach campsites to open

The first new campground built in the Wisconsin State Park system in more than 20 years is about to open for business.

A new campground at Harrington Beach State Park will open to the public Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 8 a.m. All of the sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 31 electric sites, 33 nonelectric sites, five walk-in sites, a group campsite and a kayak site. The campground provides easy access to the mile-long Lake Michigan shoreline.

“Harrington Beach is currently one of the busiest day use parks in the state and by adding the campground we can provide a whole new experience for park visitors,” said Dan Schuller, director of the Wisconsin State Park system, in a press release announcing the opening.

Each campsite has a gravel driveway, a fire ring and a picnic table. Visitors to the campground will find new amenities such as a shower building, restroom facilities and water fountains. Ayres Associates of Waukesha designed the $3.2 million campground and Buteyn-Peterson of Sheboygan constructed the facilities.

Reserve America, the statewide campground reservation system, will begin accepting camping reservations Wednesday, Sept. 9. The campground will close for the 2009 season Sunday, Nov. 1. The campground will reopen for the 2010 season Wednesday, May 5, for first-come, first-served camping, with reservations available after May 14, 2010.

Campers can check for availability and make camping reservations by calling toll free at (888) WIPARKS (947-2757) or on the Web at www.reserveamerica.com. For more information about the new campground, call the park office at (262) 285-3015.