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Pawlenty on Lake Vermillion State Park groundbreaking

Lake Vermillion
This Aug. 16, 2013 photo, a treetop view off a hiking trail in Lake Vermilion State Park in Minnesota, showed a valley of aspen pine trees that run up to the shore of a 61-square mile lake featuring dozens of islands. The state acquired about 3,000 acres of rustic land in 2008.
Brian Bakst | AP photo file

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Minnesota's first new state park in more than 30 years is a step closer to completion.

The park, which is located on the rocky shore of Lake Vermilion in northeastern Minnesota, sits on five miles of waterfront and includes both soft and hardwood forests. This afternoon, park officials will break ground for the first campground.

A number of state leaders will be there for that groundbreaking: Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Tom Bakk, U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Pawlenty was governor when the park was created and he championed the cause, which was not without controversy. He joined MPR News' Euan Kerr to talk about the project.