WESTON, Mo. - Budget cuts force Missouri state parks to do more with less at a time when they are busier than ever.
The Gear family, from Kansas City, is spending their holiday weekend camping at Weston Bend State Park.
“It's a pretty inexpensive way to go,” says Tom Gear.
It cost between $11 to $18 to camp overnight at the park.
Park Superintendent Charles Hess says they will be at capacity this weekend.
“Traditionally state parks get busier when the economy is poor. We're a relatively inexpensive alternative to long vacations outside the state,” he says.
As the staff manages a busier park they are also dealing with a 10 percent cut to their budget.
Hess says their seasonal staff was cut by half. They are workers who mow and clean.
"Our full time staff is making up for that. We're looking for all the efficiencies we possibly can to get us through this time,” says Hess.
The cuts mean other work at the park goes undone.
"We've had to put off some of our maintenance and repair type issues. If we need new siding on a building or things like that,” says Hess.
He says park visitors will not notice any change in services.
