A hike in the woods or a picnic in the grass is only a visit to the Library away. SJCPL, in partnership with the St. Joseph County Parks Department, is expanding its Discovery Pass program to include county parks. Discovery Passes are available for seven area attractions and offer free admission for Library patrons.
With summer right around the corner, the Library and St. Joseph County Parks introduce the newest Discovery Pass, which offers free weekend admission (excluding special events) for one vehicle to Bendix Woods, Ferrettie-Baugo Creek, and St. Patrick’s County Parks. Passes can be checked out by a Library card holder at the Main Library in downtown South Bend. For hours of operation and more information about the parks, visit www.sjcparks.org.
The Library encourages individuals and families to explore their community by checking out a Discovery Pass. For years, these passes have been a popular option for families with children. In 2017, the passes were checked out 1,235 times, a 9% increase from the previous year.
Recently renamed, the Discovery Pass has grown over the years to reflect the diverse cultural and natural resources available in our community. Passes are available for these local attractions: Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, Hannah Lindahl Children’s Museum, HealthWorks Kids’ Museum, St. Joseph County Parks, Studebaker Museum and The History Museum, and Wellfield Botanic Garden.
Start your day at the library and end up on an adventure in a local garden, park, or museum. Most passes offer free admission for up to six people. Only one pass can be checked out at a time and must be returned within 24-hours. Passes are available on a first come first served basis. More information about the passes is available here.
Before checking out a pass, patrons should check the destinations’ website for hours of operation, directions, and more information.
