A partnership between Florida State Parks and public libraries means that you can check out state parks for free, plus the libraries are celebrating Oceans of Possibilities for their summer reading programs.
Anyone with a library card can borrow a pass to most of the state’s 170 parks and get in for free. Locally, that includes Anclote Key off Tarpon Springs, Honeymoon Island off Dunedin, Caladesi Island State Park near Dunedin, Ybor City Museum, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park near Port Richey, Hillsborough River State Park in Tampa, Egmont Key Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay, and Madira Bickel Mound State Archeological Site and Terra Ceia Preserve State Park near Bradenton. Three nearby parks — Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park – are excluded from the free offer.
The free pass allows admission for one car with up to eight people through Sept. 12.
And while you’re picking up your free park pass, check out Oceans of Possibility summer reading programs in Hillsborough and Pinellas with selected books for kids, teens and adults.