Protest at Annadel over state park cuts

<p>State park volunteers on horseback gathered early Sunday at Annadel State Park preparing to protest the pending closure of parks due to California's budget constraints.</p><p>The volunteers, known as the California State Parks Mounted Assistance Unit, were heading for Annadel's Lake Ilsanjo.</p><p>They were planning a 12:15 p.m. demonstration at the park lake to show their support for the parks and those who keep them safe and open, said JoDean Nicolette, president of the group.</p><p>Annadel, in eastern Santa Rosa, is a popular park for hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders. </p><p>Officials with the California state parks department say they have not finalized their list of parks that may have to close due to budget cutbacks. </p><p>They say the list is likely to be unveiled shortly after Labor Day, which has prompted parks supporters to turn out in large numbers as that date nears.</p><p>“So far, there's been no closure list yet, but we know the state is working on one,” said Traci Verado-Torres, the government affairs specialist in the California State Parks Foundation, a 100,000-member non-profit group that advocates on behalf of the state's 279 parks.</p><p>The group estimates that as many as 100 parks in the state could be forced to close because of budget reductions. She said closures could involve full shutdowns of some parks, seasonal closures of others and limits on some to certain days of the week.</p><p>In addition to lobbying the Legislature, she said the group has led an effort to stimulate support for keeping parks open by coordinating events at local parks and encouraging independent efforts.</p><p>“We want to engage the public in this debate,” Verado-Torres said.</p>