Fort Snelling State Park to Reopen After Flooding

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says Fort Snelling State Park is reopening after a three-week shutdown caused by torrential June rains and flooding.

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

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

The park's beach has been groomed and the water tested. Picnic tables and play equipment that were underwater have been washed with a disinfectant. All beach area parking lots are usable, although some silt remains.

Picnic Island will remain closed until downed trees and silt deposits can be removed.