For those who don’t know us yet—hi! We’re Danica and Dalton, the new owners of Sunbury Oromocto Park & Campground. Our journey to taking over this special place has been one of adventure, love, and a deep connection to family and nature. We wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves, share a bit of our story, and let you in on our vision for the park’s future.
A Family Legacy & A Full-Circle Moment
Danica: My journey with the park started long before we ever thought of owning it. My grandparents began running Sunbury Oromocto Park the summer before I turned 12, and it became my first-ever job. Every summer after that—except for the years I spent living abroad—I was here, working, learning, and growing with the park.
Fast forward to 2023, I was working as a chef and stewardess on charter yachts, traveling the Caribbean. But as much as I loved the adventure, I knew I wanted to come home. Dalton and I had been doing long-distance for almost a year, and I couldn’t imagine spending another year apart. Around the same time, I heard my grandparents were considering retiring but weren’t sure what would happen to the park. That’s when it clicked—I could do tourism and event planning at home, for my own business!
I called Dalton from my bunk on the ship and pitched him the idea. "Would you want to do this with me?" I asked. Without hesitation, he said yes. That was the moment everything changed. We started planning, dreaming, and sketching out a vision for what this park could become. It’s wild to think how perfectly our past experiences prepared us for this. Everything really does happen for a reason.
A Perfect Team
Dalton: My background is in the military—I was a Marine Technician in the Canadian Navy. Through that role, I also became a qualified rescue swimmer and trained to fight helicopter fires. I’m also a certified personal trainer. A lot of what I did in the Navy actually transfers over to running the campground. The mechanical and maintenance work I’ve done as a Marine Technician has been a huge asset in keeping the park running smoothly, from repairs to upgrades and everything in between. It might sound like a different world from campground ownership, but it actually helps in so many ways. Running a business like this requires responsibility, quick thinking, and a deep sense of care for the people who visit.
If I had to describe Danica in one sentence, I’d say: She’s a beautiful, loving, compassionate, and determined person, deeply family-oriented, and someone who will make a fantastic mother one day.
Danica: And if I had to describe Dalton? He’s the most responsible, determined, and trustworthy person I know—a safe place for me while also being the silliest, kindest, and most fun-loving guy.
Fun fact: We met in grade six when we were 11 years old, and he was my first crush!
What Makes This Park Special?
For us, Sunbury Oromocto Park & Campground isn’t just a business—it’s a place deeply rooted in history and family. My grandparents ran it for 15 years, and before them, my grandfather’s cousin owned it. Even before it became a park in the 1960s, my ancestors lived on this land, farmed it, and cherished it. The Smith family has been connected to this place for generations, and we’re honoured to continue that legacy.
But we also want to bring in fresh ideas and make this park a true community hub. That’s why we’ve introduced public events like Spooktacular, Kids’ Day, and summer concerts—giving people new reasons to visit and connect. We also rent out our event spaces for parties, celebrations, and special moments, partnering with other small businesses to make them extra special.
Challenges & Rewards
Running the park comes with its fair share of challenges. For me, one of the hardest things has been learning to slow down—realizing that we don’t have to accomplish every dream and idea in year one. Growth takes time, and we’re working to build something sustainable.
Dalton: My biggest challenge was commuting back and forth from Halifax every weekend last summer before I could move here full-time. That was tough, but it made me appreciate being here full-time even more now!
But the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Seeing our ideas come to life and watching people actually show up and support something we’ve built? That’s been the most incredible feeling. Dalton and I love sitting by the fire at night, looking out at the park, and taking it all in—the laughter at events, the families making memories, and the campers enjoying the peaceful nature around them.
Our Vision for the Future
We have some big dreams for the future of the park. In the next 3-5 years, we want to introduce unique rental accommodations—think cozy domes, cottages, or bell tents—so more people can experience the magic of this place.
We’re also working on something pretty exciting for our community… but we’re not ready to announce it just yet. (Stay tuned!)
Through all these changes, one thing will always stay the same: our core values. We’re dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of French Lake, maintaining a strong sense of community, and making this park a place where people can come to reconnect—with nature, with loved ones, and with the simple joys of life.
A Few Fun Tidbits
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Our dream campfire meal? I’d go for a classic BBQ with burgers and all the summer salads. Dalton is all about pizza sandwiches cooked over the fire.
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Our favorite way to unwind after a long day? Dalton loves to light a fire in the backyard and relax on the swing. I love a cozy dinner, a movie night, or getting creative with crafts or art projects in the evening!
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What’s one thing future guests should know before visiting? Dalton says: Check out our calendar before you book—you might catch an event you’d love! My tip? Bring water shoes (clams can be sharp!), a fishing rod (you don’t need a license for our lake!), and don’t forget to stop by the office for an ice cream treat!
Come Be Part of the Story
At the end of the day, this park is more than just a campground. It’s a place where families gather, where summer love blooms, where kids make lifelong memories, and where community thrives. We hope that when people think, “What’s something fun happening in our area?”—Sunbury Oromocto Park is the first place that comes to mind.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us in this journey so far. We can’t wait to see what the future holds, and we hope you’ll be part of it.
See you at the park!
– Danica & Dalton