ST. PAUL  (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.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

More From AM 1240 WJON