St Paul Pioneer

SHUTDOWN IN MINNESOTA: Poop among problems piling up at closed state parks

ST. PAUL

Property damage, mounds of stinky garbage and, yep, poop -- both pet and human -- are piling up along some of Minnesota's most scenic spots, thanks to the enduring state government shutdown.

With most areas of state parks technically open for walk-in day use only, the Department of Natural Resources' 186 conservation officers have found themselves more busy checking on problems that wouldn't exist without the shutdown than doing what they would normally be doing: enforcing fishing and boating rules, according to the agency's chief law enforcement officer.

"It's led to a shift in our focus to deal with these other distractions of having to verify the security of state property," said Col. Jim Konrad, head of enforcement for the DNR. "These are things we wouldn't be dealing with if it weren't for the shutdown."

Several of the state's marquee parks along Lake Superior's North Shore, including Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse, saw crowds of visitors over the Fourth of July weekend, prompting traffic problems and at least two reports of injuries inside the parks.

Konrad said his office has worked with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Department of Public Safety to ease parking restrictions along U.S. Highway 61 and set up signs warning motorists to slow down for pedestrians walking into such parks from their locked gates.

Another problem appears to have surfaced after picnickers and nature-seekers enter: Nature calls -- and restrooms are locked.

While such parks normally are bustling with people -- and have facilities to serve them -- the relative seclusion appears to have emboldened some to do their business along trails and other areas where no Minnesotan would normally dare to squat.

"People are taking it upon themselves to go out in the woods and relieve themselves, and without the presence of employees and others, they're not picking up after themselves," Konrad said. "People are also having a tendency not to pick up after their pets."

It's not clear how prevalent the problem is, but Konrad said he's aware of only a few parks experiencing it. Given the agency's skeleton staff, Konrad himself isn't privy to all the officers' reports, often relying on oral summaries from supervisors and officers in the field. "Gooseberry is the one that keeps popping up," he said.

No one is collecting garbage on DNR lands, either, and Konrad said Dumpsters are overflowing in some parks. One trash pile at Crow Wing State Park has attracted bears, a problem that could eventually result in the bear being killed if it harasses people when the parks reopen.

Pioneer Press: St. Paul Saints promotion celebrates light-rail ...

Fans of Bill Murray’s performance in the movie “Zombieland” will appreciate the following: Halloween comes early this year when zombies take over the baseball stands for “Welcome to Zombieland.” The marketing managers at Midway Stadium are showcasing their trademark humor by giving Thursday night’s St. Paul Saints game a zombie theme in honor of the Central Corridor Light Rail project.

What’s the connection between the living dead and light rail construction? A statement from the Saints indicates the zombie theme is meant to be ironic, as “University Avenue is Alive!”

The evening is an apparent rejoinder to those who say light-rail construction is leaving small businesses along University Avenue half dead, despite the efforts of city officials to offer select parking improvements and up to $20,000 in no-interest loans and grants.

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