Governor Nixon says the Youth Parks Service Program has been a big hit this summer. The program, launched in May with federal jobs funds, has hired 1000 young Missourians 17-24 years old to work minimum wage jobs at state parks and historic sites. The opening of school has ended the summer program although Nixon says some money is left over to employ young people for parks and historic sites work through September.

Nixon says the program has been critical to the state parks system in a time when the sales tax income that finances parks upkeep and improvements is down considerably. He says he’ll assess the program in October and look for available funding. He hopes to renew the program next summer.

AUDIO: Interview with Governor Nixon (8 min)