Get a free vehicle pass to an Ontario park at the Timmins Public Library
The Timmins Public Library is one of 200 libraries that are lending day-use vehicle permits to visit any of Ontario's 115 provincial parks, including many in northeastern Ontario.
The permit gives people access to a park for the day to encourage them to see what natural wonders await them and make the outing less expensive for a family.
Borrowing one of these permits will save you anywhere from $10-$20.
The library has been participating in the provincial initiative since it launched in 2021.
"We thought it was a great opportunity for folks to get out in nature," said Carole-Ann Demers, chief executive officer of the Timmins Public Library.
“So since then, the community has really embraced the program and we continue to offer it every year.”
Anyone with a valid library card may borrow one of four passes available at the library. It may be borrowed for one week and renewed up to two more times, as long as there is no waiting list. The C.M. Shields Centennial Branch in South Porcupine also has two passes.
"Once they pick up the permit, they can go to any Ontario Provincial Park and use the permit there so there’s really no restriction," said Demers.
"All that we ask is that to avoid disappointment is to call ahead to the Ontario Parks and reserve your spot.”
The province said it is spending $41.7 million in the next two years to upgrade and maintain parks to make them more enjoyable. Residents are encouraged to learn more about the Healthy Parks, Healthy People initiative.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
According to the Ontario Parks website, that initiative is a worldwide movement to encourage people to spend more time in nature, in part because 90 per cent of a Canadian's life is spent indoors and 69 per cent of one's time is sitting.
Ontario Parks reports that 94 per cent of park visitors say a trip to a provincial park provides stress relief and relaxation from everyday modern life.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.