You’re entitled to a free pass this summer!

By Joan Janzen

Wheatland Regional Library is helping its patrons enjoy a visit to a park this summer. This is the second year their Regional Park Passes have been available for patrons to borrow. The passes are available at participating regional libraries, including Palliser, Southeast, Pahkisimon and Wheatland Regional libraries.

Michelle Yates at the Kindersley Library said they have four passes on hand. All you have to do is use your library card to borrow a free Regional Park Pass to explore one of Saskatchewan’s beautiful regional parks.

The passes are available from May 19th to September 15th, 2023. Michelle recalled the program was quite popular in 2022 when the library had five passes available; there was one weekend when they were all spoken for.

Michelle Yates at Kindersley Wheatland Library holds one of the four Regional Park Passes that are available for patrons to borrow this summer. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN

“It’s a first come, first serve basis, so they can’t be set aside for people,” she explained. The passes must be borrowed in person and can be checked out, just as you would a book. “The borrowing period is for seven days, which cannot be extended. But you can always bring it in and re-borrow it for another seven days if needed.”

Each pass covers park access for one vehicle and its occupants, however, camping fees and firewood fees are not included with the pass. “Once you are ready to return the pass, it must go back to the exact location you borrowed it from,” Michelle said.

According to a SaskToday article, the Saskatchewan Library Association joined with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association and the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association to make this program possible.

A total of 800 passes are available to inspire people to get out and travel and visit any of the nearly 100 regional parks in our province.