ALBANY (AP) -- Two state lawmakers say blocking $11.3 million of the $20 million in proposed budget cuts to the state parks system will prevent the Paterson administration from closing dozens of state parks and historic sites.
State parks committee chairmen Sen. Jose Serrano of the Bronx and Assemblyman Steve Englebright of Suffolk County called for restoring the funding as parks advocates rallied Wednesday in Albany to protest the budget cuts.
The state parks office has said it will close 41 of 178 parks and reduce services at 23 others. They also plan to shut down 14 of 35 historic sites because of the state's budget crisis.
Earlier this week, parks officials said they had canceled about 350 campsite reservations at 12 of the state parks that could be closed this year.
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