Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida State Parks and its partners will start the Real Florida Reader Program, which will help residents gain more access to the great outdoors.
Florida State Parks partnered with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services, allowing public libraries across the state and DEP to offer library patrons a Real Florida Reader Pass.
The patrons can get the pass at their local libraries, giving them free admission to one of more than 170 participating state parks in Florida. Cayo Costa State Park is included in the list of participating sites.
“A visit to one of Florida’s state parks goes hand-in-hand with a visit to the library,” DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton said. “We welcome all Floridians to read about our state’s diverse environment and culture and then get outside and experience these natural wonders firsthand.”
The 2022 library summer reading theme is “Oceans of Possibilities.” Library patrons are encouraged to check out books about Florida’s wildlife and natural resources and then explore one of the award-winning state parks to experience the resources firsthand.
“We are proud to partner with Florida State Parks to offer park passes in Florida’s public libraries,” Secretary of State Cord Byrd said. “Florida has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The Real Florida Reader initiative provides the perfect opportunity for Floridians to get outside this summer to explore Florida’s natural treasures.”
Residents can use their library card to check out a day pass, providing free admission to state parks for up to eight people in a vehicle. The promotion will run through September 12.
The state parks not involved in the program are Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
For more information, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/RealFloridaReader.
This article originally appeared on Sanibel Captiva.