DNR news: Fort Snelling State Park to reopen

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  July 15, 2014

Fort Snelling State Park to reopen July 16

Fort Snelling State Park is reopening after a three-week closure brought about by torrential June rains and flooding, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.

Located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers in St. Paul, the park closed on June 22 when water inundated the main park road.

On Wednesday, at 8 a.m., the park office and the Thomas Savage Visitor Center will reopen to the public, as will the Snelling Lake beach area, fishing pier and the trail around Snelling Lake. 

The beach has been groomed and the water has been tested. Picnic tables and play equipment that were underwater have been washed with a disinfectant and rinsed with a power washer. All beach area parking lots are usable, although a bit of silt remains in a few areas. 

Picnic Island will remain closed until downed trees and silt deposits can be removed. All shelters and buildings there also will need to be cleaned and sanitized after being underwater. Pike Island also will remain closed. The east end is still flooded and downed trees, silt and muck are blocking the trails.

The park entrance is on Post Road off Highway 5, west of the main terminal exit for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Check the visitor alert on the park’s Web page at www.mndnr.gov/fortsnelling for updates or call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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