Riverforest Park Campground and Marina has changed hands in a $7 million transaction, setting the stage for a new chapter at one of the Weedsport area’s most recognizable summer destinations.
According to Cayuga County property records, Riverforest was transferred from Mances Family Campground LLC to Weedsport RV LLC in a deed dated April 29 and recorded May 14. A separate real estate transaction listing identified the buyers as Michael Sztorc and Mary McCann of Topside Management, a New York-based real estate investment firm, and valued the sale at $7 million. Weedsport Community News first reported the sale and details of the property’s future plans following an interview with park manager Aaron Centner.
The 132-acre property includes approximately 360 RV sites, marina access, recreation areas and a bar and restaurant. Topside Management has described the campground as an asset with significant growth potential, citing its proximity to Micron’s planned semiconductor development in Central New York.
Centner told Weedsport Community News that ownership is pursuing a five-year vision focused on restoring Riverforest’s role as both a campground and community gathering place. Among the first priorities is bringing back the campground’s traditional fireworks display, which organizers hope to hold July 11 as part of a celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary. The event would be open to the public if approvals are secured.
The property’s bar and restaurant are also expected to reopen to the public, potentially by Father’s Day if licensing and permitting requirements are completed in time. Centner said the facility can accommodate roughly 200 to 250 people and could host reunions, parties, wedding showers and other community events. Initial offerings are expected to feature a pub-style menu, with longer-term plans focused on expanded dining and entertainment options.
Other improvements under consideration include children’s activities, outdoor movie nights, arts and crafts programs, DJs, an indoor arcade and the return of an on-site grocery store. Centner said the campground is currently about 95% occupied, though sites remain available for short-term campers, tent campers and RV travelers.
Riverforest is also positioning itself to attract Erie Canal visitors, with the canal trail located about a half-mile away. Centner said the campground could serve as a stop for bicyclists and walkers traveling along the historic route.
The park has already begun accommodating future growth tied to Micron’s planned investment in the Syracuse area. Centner said several sites have been rented under a two-year agreement for Micron construction workers, though those workers have not yet arrived.
For many local residents, Riverforest has long been associated with camping, boating, swimming and summer traditions. With new ownership now in place and redevelopment plans taking shape, the future of the campground is expected to draw significant attention from both residents and visitors in the years ahead.
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