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By Cronkite News Service

PHOENIX (Monday, Feb. 1) _ Closing state parks removes access to areas where children can learn to appreciate the environment, wildlife and state history, the head of a state environmental group said Monday.

“These parks are our schools, and by losing them we cut off wonderful educational opportunities,” Sandy Bahr, conservation director for the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter, who led a rally at the State Capitol.

Facing massive budget cuts, Arizona State Parks has announced plans to close 13 parks around the state while keeping nine open.

Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson, who spoke to several dozen people who attended the Save Our Parks rally, said the public is angry because Gov. Jan Brewer and Republican leaders failed to look at ways officials could easily have kept parks open.

“Residents are here because they are rightfully angry, and they need to let legislators know that this is an unacceptable situation,” Patterson said.

“These are not just state parks,” said Rep. Jack Brown, D-St. Johns. “It is important to our heritage and our communities and we need to do everything we can to assure they stay open.”

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Reported by Christine Harvey