Golden Valley-Area Parks Open This Holiday Weekend

For the first time in its history, Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources has ceased virtually all of its operations after the governor and state Legislature were unable to reach a budget deal before a midnight deadline.

Parks in the Golden Valley area not owned by the state are open for business. But it's tornado damage, not the state shutdown, that might prevent some visitors from enjoying one this holiday weekend.

Theodore Wirth Park is open, but "the amenities people would use are not necessarily available," according to a Minneapolis Park and Recreation spokeswoman.

A May 22 tornado caused extensive damage in the park and cleanup efforts are not affected by the shutdown, she said.

"The bulk of our calls this week have been from people who want to use Minnehaha Park," she said, not Theodore Wirth. She said she isn't sure if that's because callers know about the damage to Theo Wirth or if they just prefer to spend time this July Fourth weekend at Minnehaha.

Three Rivers District parks are not affected by the shutdown. All public programs will continue as planned, according to a statement from spokesman Tom Knisely

As for the state parks, Just about all of the DNR’s 2,500 employees will go without pay for the duration of the shutdown, and no fishing, boating, hunting or ATV licenses will be issued until state government resumes operation.

The Fourth of July is traditionally the busiest week of the year for state parks, campgrounds and recreational areas, but all were locked at 4 p.m. Thursday and will remain closed until further notice.

Statewide, 73 State Park and Recreation areas will close—17 in the DNR’s central region—as will 40 State Forest campgrounds, according to Courtland Nelson, director of the DNR Division of Parks and Trails.

Follow the latest shutdown developments:

July 3: Winkler Says Legislators Will Move To The Middle—Eventually

Other News Organizations' Stories About the Shutdown

Golden Valley Residents Will Be Able to Go to the Minnesota Zoo During the Shutdown

July 1: Golden Valley Legislators Frustrated by Minnesota Shutdown

Golden Valley Braces as Minnesota Government Shuts Down

Golden Valley Nonprofits Say the Shutdown Will Hurt the Vulnerable

June 29: 

June 28: 

June 23: 

June 17: 

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