State Parks Eye Survival In Face Of Budget CutsBushy Run Battlefield Park Among Those Hoping To Stay OpenPOSTED: 5:53 pm EDT May 15,
2009 PITTSBURGH -- Cuts to the Pennsylvania state budget could close 35 parks and 20 museums throughout the Keystone State.At Bushy Run Battlefield in Westmoreland County, Col. Henry Bouquet earned a victory over Native Americans to open western Pennsylvania for settlement.That battle was 250 years ago, but families can still bring their families to the park to learn about it and the Bushy Run Heritage Society wants to keep it that way.The society is trying to raise money to take over operations themselves."We do not want it closed. We work too hard to let them close the museum. The state will maintain and keep up the grounds, but they do not want the museum," said Jean Loughry of the Bushy Run Heritage Society.Bushy Run and Pittsburgh's Fort Pitt Museum may survive the cuts because they were aware of a budget short fall and had enough to organize fundraising.Others may not be so lucky.Although non have been specifically named yet, large parks like Presque Isle in Erie, Ohiopyle in Fayette County and Point State Park in Pittsburgh are expected to survive, but if the budget cuts get approved, families will have fewer places to chose from."You drive out here, you don't have to pay to get in, you can stay all day and it doesn't cost you anything," said father Steve Henderson.The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources estimates 3 million visitors would be turned away from parks each year, and thousands of others at state funded museums.A public meeting to explore further options will be held at the visitor center at Bushy Run Battlefield Park on May 27 at 7 p.m.
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