Mississippi officials outline park repairs, funding requests and revenue strategies

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks officials told the Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee on Monday that the agency has completed major infrastructure work across several state parks and is requesting further capital and operating funds to continue renovations and expand services.

The agency presented an inventory of recent work and new revenue strategies. Brian Ferguson, chief of staff for state parks, and Andre Hollis, state director for state parks, said the department focused on water, sewer and electrical systems first and has finished 10 major infrastructure projects across seven parks, including renovations at Clarkco, Percy Quin, Paul B. Johnson, Lake Lincoln, Walthall (Waldoxie in the handout), Percy Quin and Roosevelt State Park.

Ferguson said the department has 1,594 RV campsites systemwide and has renovated 462 at their five most‑visited parks. The park system has 225 cabins, of which 83 have been renovated. The department negotiated contracts to install 20–25 “tiny homes” at state parks and has added premium primitive tent sites and new retail/concession operations to diversify revenue.

Why it matters: committee members said the renovations are visible to visitors and legislators but noted remaining needs at smaller and federal‑land parks, access roads and broadband. Lawmakers repeatedly asked for clear, line‑item capital requests so they can evaluate and fund specific projects.

Key details and funding

- The department said it used about $36.3 million in ARPA and tourism funds for infrastructure…