State park passes available to borrow from local libraries

Those with a Northwest Regional Library System library card can now check out a Real Florida Reader Day Pass that provides free park admission to Florida’s state parks. 

Library cards are available free of cost at each of the NWRLS’s libraries. The Real Florida Reader Day Pass has a 5-day check out period and is limited to one checkout per library card. 

If all passes are checked out, an individual can place a hold by calling their library location. Passes will need to be checked out and returned from the same library location. 

Florida has 175 state parks that showcase our state’s natural and cultural resources, including three in Gulf County. 

“With the Real Florida Reader Pass, you can continue your learning adventure while enjoying time exploring new places,” said NRLS in a press release. “For an extra challenge, check out a book about Florida’s wildlife and natural resources and see if you can identify any of the flora, fauna or habitats seen at the park,” 

Things to Know

• The day pass is for one vehicle park entrance with up to eight people in the vehicle.
• It is for day use access only and does not include camping or any other fees.
• The program excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife, Skyway Pier and Weeki Wachee Springs state parks.
• The program does not include entry to federal parks, national forests or national wildlife refuges.

 The Real Florida Reader is a statewide collaboration between Florida State Parks and the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services to encourage visitation to libraries and parks this summer.

Passes will be available through September 12, 2022. The program is part of the “Oceans of Possibilities” summer reading celebrations for Florida Public Libraries.

For more information about the Real Florida Reader Day Pass program or your local library’s Oceans of Possibility programing, visit nwrls.com.