MnGCA

ST11 · Geocacher Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 153

They said on the news last night people are walking into the state park areas and continue enjoy the property we own and pay taxed on.

Who is going to stop you? If the politicians want to play power games that's one thing but we pay for this land and have rights. Personally I think we should use the parks more now than ever. State bike trails are in the same boat but the bikes just keep riding on.
I notice the DNR has not closed boat ramps or public parking areas at the lakes. Why should the parks be any different?

bflentje · Geocacher Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 3655

ArcherDragoon · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:30 am Post subject:

nevermind

NeverSummer · Geocacher Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 97

RudeRat · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 713

We live in Minnesota. There are plenty of places where there is no cell phone service and dangers exist. Places that don’t have water, bathroom facilities or staff. I value the park staff, but don’t need them to keep me safe. I’m more than capable of doing that. A sign saying “Swim at your own risk” would have worked just fine in my eyes. And the cell phone argument…really? How did we ever survive 20 years ago. Lifeguards, naturalists, maintenance staff and the like are all nice to have, but not critical for our survival the way it is being made to sound. Look where people are parking because of the barriers on the north shore. Is that really safer than parking in a parking lot? I’m trying to understand a lock on a door to an outhouse that gets emptied once every other year rather than a sign that says “Bring your own paper”. The swimming area was drained to maximize the impact of the shutdown, not to make us safer. Waysides are closed to maximize the impact not make us safer (or is it safer to have all those semi’s parked on the side of the interstate rather than the rest stops?). Lots of safety information on the DNR and other state websites, but I can’t get to it for some reason. Yes, I know the sites cost money, but the costs are in maintaining the site, not hosting it. My bet is that hosting has been paid through the end of the year.

I realize there are those who want to take their kids swimming but are not capable of acting if something were to happen. Or those who wish to enjoy the outdoors but need the handicap facilities the parks offer. They are the real losers here, and I’m hoping their families and friends, churches and others are stepping up to help them out. But to drain a swimming area and send the kids into the lakes, streams and rivers instead doesn’t sound safer to me. Sorry, I’m not really buying the whole “It’s for your own safety” argument.
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Mrs. Mizzou · MnGCA President Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Posts: 503

The State Park and highway rest areas were winterized - not knowing when the shut down will end. There is no one there to watch for broken pipes, or to maintain the paper level. I hadn't thought of the swimming pools, but if there is no one there to maintain the chlorine levels it would get nasty in no time. And with the damage that happened at Afton, I hate to think what would have been possible with a full pool.

NeverSummer · Geocacher Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 97

EPMinnesota · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 1898

spinowner · Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 4:33 am Post subject:

pfalstad · Geocacher Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 963 Location: Edina

joboo · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:47 am Post subject:

Here's a link, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reopen/index.html better late than never!!
Most, if not all are open; it looks like mowing and trail clearing are some issues, especially with remote hike in only sites.

Peace[/url]
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jrest · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:58 am Post subject:

Went past St. Croix State Park on Friday, big sign in front states they are closed due to storm damage. LOTs of trees down.

Also, the St. Croix State Forest is now gated on some roads, sign posted by the DNR that it will remain closed until further notice, assuming that is also related to significat trees down over a lot of the trails.
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round n' round we go!