So a caravan park in stated that recycled mats were not permitted as they kill the grass.  Interesting.  We have been using a recycled mat for years and the technology behind the mats has been around since the 1950’s and we knew the mats were breathable. We can show you how they are made.  So the keyboard warriors of the world started to comment and believe and before we knew it everyone was all over it and experts in their own right.  The topic continues to be an ongoing conversation we get at all caravan shows even years after the original post.  

Images shows to separate shows. The grass was destroyed by not having a mat or using a cheap rubber mat.  The photos were taken at the Wodonga Caravan show in both 2023 and the Bendigo Caravan show in 2024 with different weather conditions.  

So we asked the caravan park the question.

“Can we come and camp with our tent and swags at your park?” we asked.

“Yes, you are more than welcome” was the response.

Then we ask “If a tent is allowed why not my recycled camping mat?”

CRICKETS……….CHURP CHURP CHURP…….

“We saw on Facebook you don’t let people use recycled mats.  Why is that?”

We were told.

“Well we sell a mat ourselves and we believe that the mats kill the grass and want people to use our mats instead”

Interesting.

We then explained

“You know recycled mats are breathable right?  You know they allow the sand and dirt to go through and not up again?”

“no we were not aware,” they said

We then explained who we were and what their comment was creating.  The post was removed but not before thousands of people saw and commented on it.

So if you can have a tent or swag why not a mat!

There are a few parks around that will not allow any mat at all which is fine if you have beautiful grassy sites but as we are all aware most are dirt, rock and concrete.  When it is beautiful grass and really dont need one anyway.  We are avid campers staying at more than 36 campsites a year we have never been asked not to use one of our mats when we explained and showed them that they are breathable.

Annexes come with floors made of vinyl and they were not commented on in this Facebook post.  All vehicles cast a shaddow and we know grass does not grow well in the shade.  We believe that the shade and the concentrated foot traffic is more to blame…not the recycled mat and the fact the park actually sold the mats we think it caused a conversation that is not at all accurate.  As the photo shows grass is protected by a breathable mat not damaged like it was without one.