Conservation Corps crew helps restore operations at Blue Mounds State Park

Winter storms disabled park and many cities in southwest Minnesota

From left: Collin Johnson, Rachel Sicheneder, Derek Savage and Mike McGovern.April 23, 2013. Saint Paul, Minn. – Blue Mounds State Park staff called upon Conservation Corps Minnesota to help restore operations at the park after devastating winter storms earlier this month took down many trees and branches in the campground, located in Luverne, Minn. Gov. Dayton declared a state of emergency in the southwest Minnesota region, after sending in the National Guard to assist with recovery.

Crew members are currently cleaning up the park to make it ready for visitors, removing fallen branches and taking down hazardous trees around the campsites and trail areas. The campgrounds have reopened but the crew will continue to clear remaining branches and downed trees this week. “Some of the trees in the park got hit hard. It’s good to know we can help get the campgrounds operational again,” said crew member Collin Johnson. Other crew members include Rachel Sicheneder, Derek Savage and Mike McGovern.