Could state parks reopen by next weekend?

Posted at 2:52 PM on July 15, 2011 by Paul Tosto (0 Comments)

Some Department of Natural Resources workers are starting to lay out plans to reopen Minnesota's 66 state parks once the all the budget bills are passed (hopefully on Monday) and the shutdown officially ends.

If it works out, the parks may be back in business by Saturday July 23.

MPR News reporter Tom Robertson writes:

Matt Snyder, manager at Itasca State Park, says once he gets the green light to reopen the park, it may take a day or two to prepare for visitors.

Park staff will need to check over roads and trails for downed trees or other health and safety concerns, he says.

"From there we would start unlocking buildings, turning the water back on, turning the electrical back on in the campground, getting the restaurant opened back up," Snyder adds. "We'd have to order food again, all those kind of things would need to go on."

Snyder says state park campers with reservations for next weekend may be able to follow through with their plans.

The DNR is expected to have details on its web site regarding every state park and when they're back in shape and ready for visitors.