NYS to close 55 parks, historic sites Monday

(AP) - State parks officials say they'll start next week shutting down or keeping closed dozens of parks and historic sites because of New York's budget crisis.

Parks spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee says that the gates at41 parks and 14 historic sites will be locked starting Monday.

She says most of the properties were closed for the winter orhad reduced services, but typically would be preparing to reopenfor the Memorial Day weekend.

Larrabee says employees at the affected parks and historic sitesare being transferred to facilities that are remaining open.

The Legislature has voted to restore $11.3 million in parksfunding cut from Gov. David Paterson's budget proposal, but there'sno agreement yet on a budget.

Parks on Long Island that are slated to close for the season are Brookhaven.