DRAFFENVILLE — A Marshall County businessman plans to open a new campground by Memorial Day 2013.

Ken Leonard is preparing the Stage Coach Station at U.S. 68 adjacent to Mike Miller Park in Draffenville. The campground willcater to recreational vehicles, but will be open to all campers.

“We plan to have 53 sites with electricity and water,” Leonard said. “We’re also going to have an RV dump station on the property with septic and trash.”

Other amenities include a game room and clubhouse and shower facilities and restrooms for men and women. Due to its proximity to Draffenville, the park will not include dining or extensive shopping. Leonard hopes to include wi-fi for guests at some point. Sites range from 30-by-85 feet to 30-by-120 feet.

“We could squeeze more in, but we want to have a spacious facility,” Leonard said. “We want it to have a hometown feel, instead of seeming like a parking lot.”

Future plans call for the addition of a sprinkler park. Leonard said he has no plans to include a pool at this time.”

Leonard said he lives in Marshall County, but has a background in mining in Colorado. He now runs River Graphics in Paducah. He hopes to run the campground as a family business in his retirement. He may employee up to three people once it is open. He has no plans for a national campground affiliation at this time. Daily, weekly and monthly rates will be available.

As of now, Leonard has prepared driveways to campsites. Each campsite will feature a picnic table and benches. At this time, he has no plans to include grills, adding most campers bring their own. The next step will be to bring water and electricity to each campsite. He has performed most of the labor himself, with family adding contributions as needed.

“It’s been a real pleasurable job, and I’m looking forward to the lifestyle of running an RV park,” Leonard said.