BLUE EARTH — Faribault County’s two county parks will open by the end of the week, following a unanimous vote Tuesday by Faribault County commissioners.

“The governor cleared the way for the parks to open with guidance effective June 1,” said Public Works director Mark Daly. “I recommend we open both parks to all people and not just the seasonal campers.”

Pihls Park, located near Wells, has been open for seasonal campers for a couple of weeks. Woods Lake Park, near Elmore, does not have seasonal campers and has remained closed.

The public restrooms also will be reopened, following input from Daly and Commissioner Bill Groskreutz, who said the park hosts have volunteered to clean the restrooms.

Daly told the board there are some signs that need to be installed at Woods Lake Park, but he will try to have the parks open by Thursday.

Daly also informed the board he hoped to have a new parks manager hired soon. The application period has ended.

Next, Daly informed the board he has received two bids for repairing a bridge on 165th Street in Verona Township.

“This timber bridge has been closed since Nov. 8, 2019, due to a crushed timber,” Daly noted. “Icon Construction [of Des Moines] has the low bid of $41,175, which looks pretty good compared to the roughly $600,000 it would cost to replace the bridge.”

Commissioners voted to accept the bid from Icon Construction for the bridge repair.

Sheriff Mike Gormley also took part in the meeting and informed commissioners he has two deputies who are at the end of a 14-day self quarantine.

“We also have two jailers who were exposed to an inmate who has the coronavirus,” Gormley said. “They have shown no symptoms but will be tested for COVID-19.”