Milford State Park staff has been working hard all week to make sure they are prepared for one of the busiest weekends of the summer, Memorial Day weekend.

Justin Wren, Park Manager at Milford State Park explained his staff was out and about cutting grass and making sure all of their campgrounds are ready.

“Just trying to keep everything up and going, making sure all of the bathrooms and shower houses are clean and ready to go. Trying to keep everybody on the same page,” Wren said.

Safety will be important this weekend as tragedy has already struck the area. Last Sunday Matthew Mann, 25, of Junction City was identified as a drowning victim at Tuttle Creek Reservoir.

Wren said that he suggests having your boat inspected by a natural resources officers, either a park ranger or game warden if you plan on being on the water.

“Just make sure you know how your boat operates, make sure you have a check list. Let someone know, that’s not on your boat, where you are going to be just in case an emergency happens,” Wren said. “Make sure your life jackets PFD’s, are readily accessible, make sure you’re wearing them. That’s my biggest thing, you don’t have to wear them unless you’re 12 and under, but I still just believe that everybody should have a life jacket.”

Tony Wolf, Geary County Sheriff, echoed those suggestions.

“Please wear life jackets. They don’t do any good laying in the boat. That’s a big thing I’d really like to hit on is the use of these life jackets, you’ve got to wear them for them to work,” Wolf said.

Wolf did say that the Sheriff’s Office will have an increased presence around the lake for the weekend. He also suggested the people keep an eye to the sky and be aware of any possible hazardous weather moving into the area.