DENVER (AP) — As drought conditions linger, Denver Parks and Recreation is closing its grass fields for sports including soccer until April 1.

Parks spokesman Jeff Green says the fields are in bad shape because of not enough moisture, and parks officials want to try to let the grass recover enough to be available this summer.

Green says the snow this week has helped, but the fields still need more moisture.

Fields for baseball and softball will open March 18 because those sports lead to less wear and tear on the ground, but fields for others sports won’t open until later.

Parks officials plan to keep monitoring the fields.

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