JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — State park systems in Mississippi and Louisiana are dealing with funding challenges as one attempts to upgrade old facilities while the other seeks federal dollars to repair the damage left by two hurricanes.
Mississippi has 25 state parks. Louisiana has 20.
Additional funds for the park system doesn’t appear to be high on the list of concerns for Mississippi lawmakers. And in Louisiana, many parks were damaged by Ike and Gustav.
Mississippi officials say most park facilities were built in the 1930s. They say they are using in-house labor to make some needed repairs.
Louisiana officials say nine of their parks are temporarily closed. The agency has a fund to tap into, but the hurricane damage is severe and federal funds are being sought.
 
—-
Contact The Daily Reveille news staff at [email protected]