Cancellations, weather hold down park traffic

Published 10:08 am Monday, July 25, 2011

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Jay Cook State Park on Minnesota’s north shore would be packed with campers on a typical July weekend. But, more than half the camp sites were empty during the weekend when the park, as well as others, reopened after a nearly three-week-long government shutdown.

Park manager Eunice Luedtke says cancellations, plus blustery weather combined for a soft reopening. Luedtke estimated about 40 percent of campsites were used. She says the park’s 16 employees are working to catch up on mowing and trail maintenance.

State parks aren’t accepting new reservations until Tuesday.

Email newsletter signup