Grass Valley fifth graders have delivered 10,000 signed petitions supporting state parks to Governor Jerry Brown's office.
Most of the kids from Grass Valley Charter School were barely tall enough to see over the bronze bear in front of the Governor's office. One by the one, they handed over packets of signatures to Alexis Podesta of the governor's staff. They told Podesta why South Yuba and Malakoff Diggins State Parks' funding should not be cut. Bianca Baron is a fifth grader.
BARON: "If the parks close, we can't let our really young generation have a chance maybe to come see what we have and they matter because they teach us and we love them."
The state has announced that South Yuba State Park will be open part time. Visitors will be charged an entry fee and be required to park in pay lots. Last year the state announced 70 parks would be closed. Funding has been found to keep 10 of them open at least part time.
Podesta congratulated the students on the news one of their parks would be open.
PODESTA: "You should all go home patting yourselves on the back and I am happy to accept."