Wastewater project to impact Itasca State Park visitors in 2027

PARK RAPIDS, Minn. — Itasca State Park will see some large-scale construction projects in 2027 — large enough to dramatically affect visitors. There is a major sewer and water project going in, park manager Aaron Wunrow said. To the right of the Mary Lake cutoff — where the Douglas Lodge, Forest Inn and cabins are — everything in that area is going to be closed, likely for the entire 2027 season. That area includes the Douglas Lodge Restaurant, 12 four-season suites, 13 cabins, the east arm boat access and a number of other amenities. It is a major visitor disruption, but it will be a temporary disruption of services, Wunrow said. The water and sewer lines in that area are over 100 years old. It s not unusual to be in the middle of summer — say the July 4 weekend — and have a waterline break that causes an immediate disruption. It s just an aging infrastructure. The exact project dates are unknown at this point, and Wunrow said visitors can just plan on t