The Friends of Maine State Parks, in cooperation with the Bureau of Parks and Lands, are pleased to announce a pilot program to provide Maine State Park Vehicle Passes for day-use at Maine State Parks to 10 community libraries located across the State of Maine.

The 10 libraries include Belfast Free Library, Bridgton Public Library, Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Dyer Library in Saco, Ellsworth Public Library, Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle, Rockland Public Library, Thompson Free Library in Dover-Foxcroft, Shaw Public Library in Greenville and the South China Public library.

Each library has received an annual Maine State Park Vehicle Pass to be checked-out and used by library patrons. The vehicle pass allows a vehicle with up to 17 people to access any of the Bureau of Parks and Lands’ 48 state parks and historic sites for the day.

Many libraries throughout Maine currently purchase these passes and loan them out to their patrons as they do books. The Friends of Maine State Parks have purchased the annual Maine State Park Vehicle Passes for distribution to the libraries to help stimulate park use.

President Steve Curtis, said, “The Friends of Maine State Parks worked hard to launch this program by Memorial Day to enable library patrons who have a library card to take advantage of the vehicle passes to access Maine State Parks all season.” Steve also expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm and commitment of the 10 libraries in partnering with The Friends of Maine State Parks to make this pilot program a reality.

The Friends of Maine State Parks intend for the program to be a two-year commitment. The community libraries could continue the program on their own if they found it to be successful. “This is a win-win for both state parks and the libraries,” Curtis said.

The Friends of Maine State Parks is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote, enhance and help improve the operation, maintenance, and attendance at Maine’s 48 state parks and historic sites. The new pilot project is aimed directly at linking communities with Maine State Parks and enhancing awareness of outdoor recreation.

Contact Charlene Daniels at 207-287-2209 for more information.