Travel
State Parks Expands 'Check Out Washington' Program
Washington State Parks plans to send hundreds of new "adventure packs" and Discover Passes to libraries across the state.
OLYMPIA, WA — The Evergreen State is expanding the "Check Out Washington" program to more libraries across the region, offering residents a free and easy way to check out some tools for exploration and plan a recreational trip with fewer costs attached.
The program launched in 2019 through a partnership between Washington State Parks and the Washington State Library, with financial support from the legislature. Now, officials say it will be able to serve more communities, adding more than 400 new adventure packs to the system, thanks to a new sponsorship from the Washington State Employees Credit Union. The Washington State Parks Foundation paid for high-quality binoculars.
"It's been our goal since the program started in 2019 to continue expanding offerings throughout the state," said Diana Dupuis, director of Washington State Parks. "We thank WSECU and the Foundation for their generous support with this effort and look forward to seeing more Check Out Washington visitors out in our parks."
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The adventure packs come in a bag manufactured by Twisp-based eqpd and are stocked with binoculars made by Washington-based Glazer's Camera, and the contents are designed with first-time visitors in mind, providing laminated nature guides and educational materials. Each pack also includes a special Discover Pass, which covers the cost of admission on state lands.
According to State Parks, residents can use their library cards to reserve an adventure pack at participating libraries and may keep them for up to a week.
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The new kits are heading out to several library systems, including:
- Fairchild Air Force Base Library
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord Libraries
- King County Library System
- North Central WA Libraries
- Pierce County Library System
- Spokane County Library District
- Spokane Public Library
- Tacoma Public Library
- Timberland Regional Library
- Yakima Valley Libraries
Residents can find a list of participating locations online or phone their library to learn more.
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