Outdoor set takes cause to Trenton

"If Trenton is worried about cutting $2.5 billion, there is plenty of fraud, waste and largesse to be found," said Anthony Mauro Sr., chairman of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance. "The governor should not threaten to take the pennies that it costs to run our parks before taking the dollars to be found in bureaucratic inefficiency."

In Salem County, the parks that would be affected are Parvin State Park, in Pittsgrove, and Fort Mott State Park, in Pennsville.

The Hancock House historic site in Lower Alloways Creek would also be shuttered.

The closures would take effect July 1.

"They basically want to shut down Salem County," said Fort Mott historian Andy Grant.

Grant said the park gets more than 200,000 visitors a year, and is beginning operation of a ferry that runs to Delaware's Pea Patch Island and Delaware City, Del., this Saturday.

The proposal leaves that operation in jeopardy.

"We don't know what's going to happen if we close," he said.

Administration officials have indicated that they may be willing to relent on the closures and allow "passive" activities, such as walking and hiking, to continue.

But staff would likely be cut, eliminating swimming and camping at the parks.

The protesters said losing those activities would mean an end to the parks as affordable vacation spots for New Jerseyans who face skyrocketing gas prices this summer.

"There's not too many inexpensive places that people can go," said Dean Cramer, of Egg Harbor City, who wore a "Save Parvin State Park" T-shirt.

The proposal could also close museums or historic sites operated by park staff, which worried those associated with the state's Revolutionary War sites.

Four of the parks tied to the American Revolution are slated for full or partial closure.

"People need to know their historic roots," said Bill Lagress, of Mercer County, who rode in on horseback dressed as George Washington. "They need to know why this country was founded. They need to know about patriotism and sacrifice."

Tom McLarney, who frequents the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, in Burlington County, slated for closure, held a sign reading, "What Mother Nature Makes, Trenton Takes."

He said he hoped the protest sent a message to the governor.

"I think there's better ways to find the money than to take things from taxpayers," he said.

Corzine spokeswoman Lilo Stainton said Wednesday that the governor "is certainly willing to look at every option available for keeping these parks open."

She added if money for parks is restored, it would have to be cut somewhere else.

The Legislature is currently debating the budget.

Nothing is official until it is signed by Corzine, which constitutionally must be done by July 1.