The Fairmont Police Department responded to Sylvania Park after a citizen reported locating bones and teeth on the ground in the southwest part of the park on July 7th. The remains were submitted to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office and were confirmed to be human remains. Due to the perceived age of the human remains and the Native American significance in Sylvania Park, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council was informed of the findings. The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council is now working to determine if this piece of land is an unrecorded cemetery. They are working closely with the Minnesota Office of the State Archeologist, forensic anthropologist and other experts to make their final determination. The Fairmont Police Department also says in the press release that there are no open investigations that are tied to this incident and there is no threat to the public. A portion of Sylvania Park along the southwest corner, has been closed to public access at the request of the MN Indian Affairs Council and the Fairmont police department is asking the public to be respectful of the partial park closure while the site assessment continues.
