GAYLORD — The Department of Natural Resources is still assessing the damage but said it could be a while before some parks are ready to open for the season.
“We have brought crews from all around the state and are working tirelessly in order to get everything open,” DNR incident commander Chris Starks said.
It’s crunch time for the DNR as they work to get damage removed from campgrounds from the March ice storm.
They’re trying to open in time for the start of the summer season, May 15.
“The ice storm did a lot of damage to the tops of trees, and many of them still have hanging branches and limbs that are up in the canopy,” said Starks. Wind gusts could dislodge those and bring them down. We really want people to stay clear of that so that they’re not inadvertently hit.”
The DNR said some parks and trails still aren’t safe for people to visit.
“Campgrounds are specifically affected because they’re at a higher risk for these hazards from trees. People are staying here, they’re sleeping, they’re spending a lot more time,” Starks said. “The very first step is just assessing our facilities, getting out there, seeing what we have and prioritizing our efforts. Then it’s clearing the roads using heavy machinery and equipment to move trees out the way.”
Nearby restaurants like The Keg worry about what a delayed opening will mean for their bottom line.
“It’s going to be a lot of loss for sure if they don’t get it open, hopefully, they can get as many people as they can to go in and clean it up,” said The Keg bartender Mike Nisch. “They have to go and use outside sources, whatever they can do, everybody grab a chainsaw and get it open.”
The DNR said they hope to have the parks cleaned up as quickly as possible, but are asking people to be patient as they begin that work.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to meet those deadlines,” Starks said.
