"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
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Wednesday, June 19th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 8:58:04, Jun 18th 2013 - cabraden1 - I salute you Colonel Overland. Your were my c.o. at Rockville Naval Air ... [Read More]
- 7:10:46, Jun 13th 2013 - chipperlee - Seems to be a well written article, except maybe Silica Sand is used in ... [Read More]
- 12:02:15, Jun 9th 2013 - getthefacts - The problem here lies in the fact that girls were repeatedly told "if y ... [Read More]
- 10:45:32, Jun 7th 2013 - Jo mom for 6yrs - Mr. Ehler hit the nail on the head. I agree with the religious con ... [Read More]
- 2:47:58, Jun 7th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 9:06:21, Jun 6th 2013 - hello - Hello, it's time you wake up. There isn't a community nearby that doesn't offe ... [Read More]
- 2:05:29, Jun 6th 2013 - Kim Wentworth - The number one rule in a debate: 1) if the person from the opposite si ... [Read More]
- 12:42:18, Jun 4th 2013 - EW - For someone that is always spouting religious rhetoric, you try to come off as a ... [Read More]
- 11:32:18, May 31st 2013 - JO PLAYER - This is unfair to us girls. Morrie Miller is not getting canceled but J ... [Read More]
- 8:25:34, May 29th 2013 - RP - Why is Mr. Ehler involving himself with non-school activities? Is he going after ... [Read More]
Restoration of Minneopa State Park waterfall bridge will limit park access
Tue, Aug 7th, 2012
Posted in All The Great Outdoors
Posted in All The Great Outdoors
Comments
An extensive reconstruction of the 90-year-old waterfall bridge at Minneopa State Park will limit access to certain areas of the park over the next three months, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
"The waterfall bridge is an important and recognizable feature of Minneopa State Park," said Paul Hansen, district supervisor for the DNR's Parks and Trails Division. "Our concern for the historic nature of the structure and the natural areas surrounding it will create some access restrictions during the restoration process."
Hansen said the bridge site will be closed while the project is underway, and access to the lower waterfalls area will be restricted. In addition, no parking will be allowed along Gadwall Road, which runs parallel to the falls. The roadside and vicinity will be used for construction access and staging of supplies and equipment. The public will not be allowed to enter the project work area.
The restoration of the open-spandrel arch bridge begins in mid-August and will involve carefully removing portions of the bridge that have been weakened by time, weather and periodic high water levels, said Kent Skaar, acquisition and development section leader.
Once the railings, deck, spandrel beams and portions of the columns, piers and structural arch of the bridge have been removed, reconstruction will begin. New, cast concrete components will add strength to the bridge, while maintaining the design of the original structure.
"We worked closely with the State Historic Preservation Office on the restoration of this structure and think the public will be pleased with the end product," Skaar said.
The project is scheduled for completion in October.
All other areas of the 1,145-acre park remain open, including the campground, interpretive exhibit and programs, prairies area and geocaching.
The word "Minneopa" means "water falling twice" in the Dakota Indian language. The twin waterfalls drop a total of 45 feet, making them the largest waterfalls in southern Minnesota. In 1921, a bridge was built over the creek between the falls at a cost of $2,200. Since that time, hundreds of thousands of people have crossed the bridge. In 2011, more than 130,000 people visited the park and falls.
Minneopa State Park is located off U.S. Highway 169 and State Highway 68, five miles west of Mankato.
For more information, visit mndnr.gov (www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/index.html). Updates are also available by calling the DNR Information Center, 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"The waterfall bridge is an important and recognizable feature of Minneopa State Park," said Paul Hansen, district supervisor for the DNR's Parks and Trails Division. "Our concern for the historic nature of the structure and the natural areas surrounding it will create some access restrictions during the restoration process."
Hansen said the bridge site will be closed while the project is underway, and access to the lower waterfalls area will be restricted. In addition, no parking will be allowed along Gadwall Road, which runs parallel to the falls. The roadside and vicinity will be used for construction access and staging of supplies and equipment. The public will not be allowed to enter the project work area.
The restoration of the open-spandrel arch bridge begins in mid-August and will involve carefully removing portions of the bridge that have been weakened by time, weather and periodic high water levels, said Kent Skaar, acquisition and development section leader.
Once the railings, deck, spandrel beams and portions of the columns, piers and structural arch of the bridge have been removed, reconstruction will begin. New, cast concrete components will add strength to the bridge, while maintaining the design of the original structure.
"We worked closely with the State Historic Preservation Office on the restoration of this structure and think the public will be pleased with the end product," Skaar said.
The project is scheduled for completion in October.
All other areas of the 1,145-acre park remain open, including the campground, interpretive exhibit and programs, prairies area and geocaching.
The word "Minneopa" means "water falling twice" in the Dakota Indian language. The twin waterfalls drop a total of 45 feet, making them the largest waterfalls in southern Minnesota. In 1921, a bridge was built over the creek between the falls at a cost of $2,200. Since that time, hundreds of thousands of people have crossed the bridge. In 2011, more than 130,000 people visited the park and falls.
Minneopa State Park is located off U.S. Highway 169 and State Highway 68, five miles west of Mankato.
For more information, visit mndnr.gov (www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/index.html). Updates are also available by calling the DNR Information Center, 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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