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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utahns looking for great summer activities that don't cost too much now can check out annual day passes to state parks at their local library.
Utah's 42 state parks offer diverse getaways for recreation and exploration. From the red rock splendor of Dead Horse Point or Snow Canyon to the solitude and cool breezes of East Canyon State Park, there's a lot to see.
The state wants people to check it out, literally, with a pass from the public library.
Jennifer Fay, assistant manager of the Whitmore Library said, "Hard times for the economy are definitely good times for the library."
More people are rediscovering their libraries, so Utah State Parks launched the Check it Out program on May 1.
"We have just had so many people asking, that these (passes) go out the second they come in," Fay said. "They're available Wednesday mornings. You'd better be here first thing Wednesday mornings to get one."
Library card holders can check out an annual day pass that will get them, their car and up to eight people into any of Utah's state parks for the day. In Salt Lake County, residents can keep the pass for a week.
Fees at the state parks run from $2 to $10. Most libraries only have one pass; others have more and may purchase more.
"It goes year ‘round, and if people like it, we'll do it again next year," Fay said.
In Salt Lake County, 45 families have already checked it out. At other libraries, it's still an undiscovered deal.
State parks and the libraries see this as a great educational opportunity to explore both in greater detail. They're hoping that while out in the wilderness, people might bring along books to study more about the plants, the animals and the rocks.
An annual pass costs $75. People who return it late may pay a hefty fine.
Contact your local library to find out more about availability of passes and policies.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
