A popular State Park Library pass program has been saved from being cut due to the budget shortfalls. The California State Library Park Pass needed $6.5 millions dollars to continue its mission of providing free State Park admission passes to every library in the state, including mobile and tribal libraries.
The pass – like almost everything you can check out at the library – is free, and provides entrance to over 200 participating state parks.
The three-year pilot program began in 2021 and is one of three $9.1 million dollar programs to provide more equitable access to our state parks, especially to children in underserved communities.
Each library jurisdiction have at least three California State Library Parks Pass hangtags per branch for checkout by library patrons. Library-card holders can check out the pass for the allotted number of days allowed by the local library, then return the pass to the library for others to use.
While we are limited to only a few nearby state parks in the Morongo Basin – your San Bernardino County library card works at all branches in the county – which is the biggest county in the nation.
Just down the hill the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness area costs $10 per vehicle for access to the park – which would be free with the library park pass. If you are heading out to Lake Perris or Chino Hills, the pass will save you a 10-spot at both of those parks, too.
There are 1,184 public library buildings in California, and more than 23 million Californians who have library cards.
The California State Parks Association says that a survey about the park passes shows that 63% of the 3600 people surveyed say that day use fees are their main barrier to visiting state parks, with 7 out of 10 making less than $60,000 a year. 90% of those surveyed said that plan to use the park pass 7 times a year at least.
There aren’t any limits to the number of times you can check out a park pass – but check with your local branch and make sure one is available for the time you need it.
If you don’t have a library card – they are free for California State residents. A library card grants you access to the entirety of the world’s knowledge – and other media like DVDs, newspapers and magazines, comic books, internet, help with access to social services, and a safe and clean air-conditioned spot to relax and explore civilization’s greatest achievement: the public library.
Links:
The California State Library Parks Pass program
All California State Parks
Inland Empire State Parks
