Quinn: Governor wrong to close parks

You may soon lose your opportunity to ride a bicycle or hike in a state park. A camping vacation with your kids or grandchildren may be more expensive because you'll be traveling farther to reach a campground. Visit a taxpayer supported historic site after Oct. 15 and you could be arrested for trespassing.

Gov. Blagojevich's decision to close 11 state parks and 13 historic sites doesn't take into account that $2.4 billion are spent in Illinois on wildlife-related activities - bird-watching, hunting and fishing - and 44 million visitors go to our state parks each year. Also, park concessionaries and other local businesses will suffer if the parks close.

Restricting access to natural areas will add to the alarming trends showing our children are spending more time with television and video games than pursuing imaginative play outdoors. A child is six times more likely to play a video game than ride a bike on any given day. There is also a national campaign to address the trend of "nature deficit disorder" in children and to "leave no child inside."

A century ago, President Teddy Roosevelt urged every American to make conservation the patriotic thing to do.

Now, it is time send a message and make your voices heard about our priceless state parks and historic sites. I ask you to start by visiting www.SaveOurStateParks.org.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn

Springfield