Editor’s note: The following is a press release from Washington State Parks.
Your library card is also your key to checking out adventure on state-managed recreation lands, thanks to the Check Out Washington program.
Last year, Check Out Washington Discover Passes were borrowed from libraries across Washington more than 9,000 times.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Parks Foundation and WSECU are proud to come together again this year and provide 500 Discover Passes to 176 libraries in 15 library systems around the state.
Library card holders can check out these free, special-edition Discover Passes for a week at a time. The pass provides day-use parking on lands managed by Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources.
“Spending time outside does so much good for our physical and mental health,” said State Parks Director Diana Dupuis. “But we know cost can be a barrier to accessing nature. This program helps removes that barrier, allowing more people to experience our parks – some for the first time. It’s exciting to know so many people are using this program to find refuge, build connections and make memories in nature. I’m grateful for this partnership and that we’re able to continue providing these opportunities.”
You can get an Adventure Pack with your Discover Pass at the following libraries:
- Bellingham Public Library
- Ellensburg Public Library
- Fairchild
- Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries
- JBLM Libraries
- King County Library System
- North Central Regional Library (kcls.org/museum-passes/)
- Pierce County Library System
- Spokane County Library District
- Spokane Public Library
- Tacoma Public Library
- Timberland Regional Library
- Whatcom County Library
- Washington Talking Book & Braille
- Yakima Valley Libraries
To find a participating library near you, visit the Check Out Washington website, or contact your local library for more information.
“We’re excited to partner with State Parks, WSECU and libraries across the state to keep Washington’s amazing parks accessible to everyone,” said John Floberg, Washington State Parks Foundation Executive Director. “Check Out Washington removes financial barriers by providing free passes and Adventure Packs to families who need them most. As costs go up, programs like this ensure no family gets left behind when it comes to enjoying our beautiful state parks.”
The Check Out Washington program continues to increase access to public lands for individuals and families who might not have resources to buy a Discover Pass. It’s a chance for people new to the outdoors to get to know their state parks and recreation lands.
The program originally launched in 2019 as a partnership between State Parks and the Washington State Library with seed money and program development from the Foundation. In 2022 the program expanded to include all libraries in the state, and the State Legislature began to fund two passes per participating library. That year, the Foundation purchased binoculars for the Adventure Packs and secured a sponsorship from WSECU for the program.
In 2023, WSECU increased its sponsorship to reach 500 passes and Adventure Packs. The increased funding helped the program concentrate resources in communities with the greatest barriers to outdoor recreation, which corresponded to some of the highest health disparities in the state.
Program materials have since been translated into Spanish, Somali and Mandarin.
View the Check Out Washington media toolkit here.
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