Nov. 9--The Legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell went 101 days beyond the start of the fiscal year before agreeing on a new state budget.

It won't take 101 more days, but the Bureau of State Parks will need a little more time to sort out the effects of budget cuts on its operations.

That includes decisions on whether to close the Tom Ridge Environmental Center for the winter, and whether to close the undeveloped Erie Bluffs State Park in western Erie County and Oil Creek State Park in Venango County year-round.

Presque Isle State Park Manager Harry Leslie referred questions to the state parks press office. "I have no information at this time on it," he said.

Chris Novak, spokeswoman for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said Friday the decisions are a work in progress. DCNR oversees the parks bureau.

She didn't have a timetable for a decision, but said it would be "sooner rather than later."

Closing the Ridge Center for nearly three months in the winter is an option that's still on the table, she said.

One proposal called for closing it from Jan. 1 to March 15, when the center typically gets 4,000 to 7,500 visitors per month. That number rises to about 20,000 per month in the summer.

Also still on the table are proposals to close the Erie Bluffs and Oil Creek parks, Novak said.

The parks bureau saw its $61 million budget reduced by $11.3 million, or 19 percent, she said.

The bureau already made a few decisions about other parks, such as closing some campgrounds and pools earlier than usual, she said.

Now the bureau is down to making tough decisions that would have the least effect on the public and staff, Novak said.

JOHN GUERRIERO can be reached at 870-1690 or by e-mail.

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