Cancellations, Weather Hold Down Park Traffic

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Jay Cooke State Park on Minnesota's north shore would be packed with campers on a typical July weekend. But, more than half the camp sites were empty during the weekend when the park, as well as others, reopened after a nearly three-week-long government shutdown.

Park manager Eunice Luedtke says cancellations, plus blustery weather combined for a soft reopening. Luedtke estimated about 40 percent of campsites were used. She says the park's 16 employees are working to catch up on mowing and trail maintenance.

The Duluth News Tribune says state parks aren't accepting new reservations until Tuesday.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)