DNR expands library pass program for state parks and recreation areas

In partnership with over 200 libraries and bookmobiles across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is expanding the popular library park pass program, which provides access to state parks and recreation areas at no cost to library patrons.

Piloted in 2018 and launched statewide in 2021, the program offers seven-day state park passes that can be checked out from participating public libraries. In an exciting expansion of this successful program, effective July 1, the number of participating libraries and the number of park passes available to check out has more than doubled.

The program has expanded from about 100 participating libraries to more than 200 libraries and bookmobiles. All 87 counties in Minnesota have at least one participating library. The number of available passes has also grown from 175 to 450. Usage of the library passes increased almost two-fold in the first three years of the program, with 1,960 pass checkouts in the first year (July 2021-June 2022) to 3,812 checkouts in the third year of the program (July 2023-June 2024).

Click here to view the original article from the Morrison County Record.