BEMIDJI — The Gull Lake Dam and Recreation Area in northern Minnesota is reopening to the public for the first time since it was damaged in a summer storm that swept the Brainerd Lakes area 10 months ago.

Campsites, the beach and Gull Lake boat access reportedly reopened this week.

Winds up to 100 miles per hour caused millions of dollars in damage to the Gull Lake area. Resorts began to reopen just a few days after the storm, but it’s taken longer for the recreation area. Ranger Brian Turner said his park took some of the worst winds.

He estimates more than 2,000 trees were downed.

It took prison work crews and thousands of volunteer hours to restore the recreation area.