ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The end of Minnesota's state government
shutdown means state parks will soon start re-opening, but it will
take some time.
     Department of Natural Resources spokesman Chris Niskanen says
parks need to be cleaned up and checked for safety. Some parks were
damaged by storms, while others were hit by vandals. Some were used
by people walking in during the shutdown, and garbage was left
behind.
     Niskanen says the DNR hopes to re-open some parks for day use by
Friday afternoon. The earliest overnight camping could begin is
Saturday, and it will vary from park to park.
     Niskanen says the parks that will require the most work are
Afton, Lake Bronson, Camden, Upper Sioux Agency, Flandreau, Blue
Mounds, Wild River and St. Croix.