A developer will build homes on the property.

GREENE – After 26 years in business, the owner of Allen Pond Campground is calling it quits.

Gary Yakawonis, who was born on the land that he later developed into a campground, sold the property to a developer in February. The 26-acre parcel has 1,200 feet of shore frontage on Allen Pond. Yakawonis said the developer plans to build homes on the site.

“I just decided it was time to sell,” said Yakawonis. “For 26 years I met a lot of good people, made good friends and had a real good time.”

The last two years were less enjoyable. A 2002 murder at the campground brought unwanted attention to the business and Yakawonis said it was clear to him that both the state and local governments wanted him to close.

“There was unjustified pressure,” he said, mentioning stepped-up inspections.

The campground had 85 sites, about half of which were rentals for the entire season. Yakawonis said most of those campers have found seasonal sites at other area campgrounds.

The campground was typically 75 percent full, a good percentage for a Maine campground off the tourist path.

“I tried to cater to the common person,” said Yakawonis, keeping his prices at $15 per night for a non-water site and $25 for a water view. “There’s no attraction for out-of-staters to come to Greene, Maine. They go to campgrounds on the coast, Bridgton and Belgrade Lakes areas.”

“Most of our campers came from within a 70-mile radius of the campground,” he said. “We had a lot Canadians who came down and would stay for the festivals.”

Yakawonis declined to reveal the purchase price; town records show the buyer is D.J. Properties Inc. of Hebron. The property and buildings are assessed at $204,000 according to the 2003 tax records.

Although Yakawonis is closing the campground, he has plenty of other things to keep him busy. He owns and operates the Canton Point Park and Sales trailer park in Canton, and the Allen Pond Excavating and Logging Co.

At 61, he just decided it was time to slow down and enjoy life a little more. And get those regulators off his back.

“Why have that aggravation?” he asked.

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