A boost in funding will make a noticeable difference in Iowa’s state parks this year.

In 2011, budget cuts led to the elimination of maintenance workers at the parks. Because of this, the parks’ quality suffered, leading many park goers to complain about unkempt lawns.

As recently as 2008, there were 325 seasonal maintenance workers in Iowa. That number dropped to 85 last year. Largely because of the complaints, the seasonal maintenance staff will increase to about 175 by the fall.

The new state budget will also add a half million dollars towards maintenance, but most of that money will go towards pay raises.

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