For their summer vacation Bob Worden and his family have been stopping in state parks in southern Minnesota.

At Lake Louise State Park Wednesday, Worden played catch with his 10-year-old son at their campsite.

"We just kind of wanted to see as many state parks as we can," said Worden of Mahnoman, Minn.

Monday the Department of Natural Resources announced it will cut overnight camping after Labor Day until Memorial Day weekend at 24 state parks, including Lake Louise near LeRoy.

The cuts come after the DNR had to trim $7.7 million more from its budget. The DNR cut $13.1 from its budget earlier this year after the state faced a budget deficit.

"Jesse (Ventura), I don't know what he was doing," Worden said. "I think they really dropped the ball. Instead of getting rebate checks they should have done something else with the money."

Worden said the state should put more money into state parks.

Lake Louise has 22 campsites, 11 of which are electrical, plus six horse sites and three group sites. During the summer campsites are 90 percent full on weekends and 10 percent full on weekdays, said Guy Lunz, Lake Louise park manager.

The DNR also cut some positions and reduced maintenance in many parks.

Ray Monson, building and grounds worker at Lake Louise, will be done with his four and one-half month job three weeks earlier because of the cuts.

"I've been working here for 20-some years and it doesn't surprise me," he said of the cuts. "You get used to it."

After his work is done at Lake Louise, he will work at Riverside Arena for the city of Austin, where he has worked for about three years. He does not know if there will be a position for him at Lake Louise next year.

Milo and Alberta Sorenson, of Austin, have been coming to Lake Louise to camp for years and are disappointed that overnight camping will stop after Labor Day.

"I like the fall weather. There's not so many bugs," said Alberta, while tending a cherry dessert she was making over the campfire.

The DNR also does not know if overnight camping will resume next summer at the parks.

"Naturally, we don't like it," Milo said. "But what are you going to do?"

Those who already have made reservations after Labor Day, can switch those reservation to another park with no extra charge or cancel the reservation and receive a refund by calling toll free (866)-857-2757.

"We're going to continue to provide the best service possible to the 8.5 million annual users of Minnesota State Parks," said Bill Morrissey, DNR parks and recreation director. "Unfortunately, in these tough economic times, we're going to have to make do with less."

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com