The expenses for groceries, gas, entertainment, and recreational activities are increasing, putting more strain on the family budget and leaving less money for leisure activities. Fortunately, your local library is an excellent resource where you can borrow free park passes for various locations. Each local library provides different passes, so we’ve outlined the park and recreation passes available from Milton, Oakville, and Halton Hills Libraries.
Your local library offers free family passes to nearby conservation areas, Ontario Parks passes, and admissions passes to local museums! Similar to borrowing a book or a movie, you can borrow these passes. This article will outline the various offerings available through your community library system.
Each pass typically has a waiting list so I recommend placing a hold and joining the queue. That way, when the pass becomes available, you can plan a visit! This serves as an excellent opportunity to explore parks and gardens, for FREE!
You may also be interested in: Where can Kids Eat Free?, Birthday Freebies, Diaper Savings Guide
What do I need to borrow a Free Park pass? Where can I borrow a Park Pass?
You will need a Library card in good standing to borrow a pass. Passes are made available at all Library branches. We encourage you to plan ahead and place a hold with your Library card through the catalogue. When available, a pass can be borrowed on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid disappointment, we recommend checking availability before you visit the library.
How long can I borrow a Free Park Pass from the Library?
You can borrow a pass for seven (7) days. They appreciate your cooperation in returning this item in a timely manner.
These Free Passes are Available at Georgetown Library:
Here is a list of Free Recreation Passes Available to borrow at Brampton Library. If you know of others, please tell us! Passes have a seven-day loan period (subject to change), unavailable for renewal. Each branch has a limited number of passes, first come, first served. Get on that holds list!
Free Ontario Parks Pass – This pass provides daily vehicle admission to any Ontario provincial park, valid until posted hours of closing during the operating season. There are no stipulations on how frequently a pass can be used, so you can go daily! Checkout our post on Fun Things to do at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Conservation Halton – Conservation Halton Parks day use vehicle permit. Permit is valid at any Conservation Halton park, for one vehicle and its occupants where fees are normally charged. Permits must be displayed on dashboard of the vehicle while it is in a Conservation Halton park. Patrons need to book a reservation timeslot on Conservation Halton’s website prior to visiting. Checkout our Guide to Mountsberg Conservation Area.
TRCA-CVC Day Pass – This pass gives one vehicle with up to 6-passengers free general admission to the parks and trails at Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Credit Valley Conservation (CVC). Checkout Terra Cotta Conservation Area or Island Lake Conservation Area Park Guides or Heartlake Conservation Area.
Free to Explore: skate & swim pass – Pass entitles the bearer admission for up to four (5) people (must include 1 adult 18 years, maximum 2) to a Public Skate or Leisure Swim at any Town of Halton Hills arena or pool for a period of 7 days.
Free Seasonal Activity Kits from Georgetown Library/Acton Library
Discover the sections below to uncover details about Seasonal Activity Kits, available for borrowing with your Halton Hills Library card. Every kit features a distinct, self-guided activity aimed at fostering outdoor enjoyment and promoting active lifestyles . Once you identify a kit that captures your interest, simply click on the link to learn more.
Seed Library -> The Seed Library includes a variety of herbs, vegetables, fruit, and flowers, with a focus on local native species, pollinator-friendly plants, and organic vegetables. Seeds are available year-round at both the Acton and Georgetown Branches of the library.
- Like a collection of books, Seed Libraries help to spread food literacy by encouraging participation in the food cycle, from seed to table.
- Packets of seeds are available year-round to anyone who would like to plant them, free of charge.
Backyard Explorer Kits -> Have an adventure in your own Backyard! Our themed environmental science kits have something for all learning styles and explore topics such as Gardening, Birding, Weather and Bugs! These kits include everything you need to observe, explore, and learn about the world around us. Kits are suitable for children 6+.
Recreation Activities -> Recreation and Parks has teamed up with us to offer residents the opportunity to borrow a variety of fun activities and inspiring games to play with family and friends. All family recreation activities are listed in our Catalogue.
Hiking Backpack Kits -> The kits are for you to view and experience the area’s beautiful natural surroundings and wildlife. Backpacks include binoculars, compass, flashlight, Halton Hikes Loops & Lattes Guide, Lorimer Field Guide to 225 Ontario Birds, Plants of Southern Ontario Guide and The Bruce Trail Reference Maps and Trail Guide. All Hiking the Hills Backpack Kits can be found in our Catalogue. Checkout our Guide to Limehouse Conservation Area, Terra Cotta Conservation Area.
Personal Flotation Device -> (May to September) Recreation and Parks has teamed up with us to offer Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) to keep you safe in the water all summer long! Personal Flotation Devices are available at the Acton and Georgetown branches for infants, children, teens, and adults.
In order to borrow a PFD you must be over the age of 18 years old and sign a waiver. Browse our Catalogue for all Personal Flotation Devices.
Pickleball and Tennis -> In collaboration with Recreation and Parks, we are now offering pickleball paddle and ball sets, tennis racket and ball sets, and portable nets. All recreation activities are listed in our Catalogue.
The Town of Halton Hills operates outdoor tennis and pickleball courts for public, community club and league use. For more information, please visit the Town of Halton Hills Court Sports page.
These Free Park Passes are Available at Milton Library:
Here is a list of Free Recreation Passes Available to borrow at Milton Library. If you know of others, please tell us! Passes have a seven-day loan period (subject to change), unavailable for renewal. Each branch has a limited number of passes, first come, first served. Get on that holds list!
Art Gallery of Hamilton – The Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) family pass will allow admission to all current exhibitions on all floors of the AGH, including tempory or special exhibitions, the permanent collection and on-site free-with admission programs. The pass is only valid when the AGH is able to be open to the public. Special events or workshops with an additional charge above admission are not included in the AGH Family Pass.
Free Ontario Parks Pass – This pass provides daily vehicle admission to any Ontario provincial park, valid until posted hours of closing during the operating season. There are no stipulations on how frequently a pass can be used, so you can go daily! Checkout our post on Fun Things to do at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Conservation Halton – Conservation Halton Parks day use vehicle permit. Permit is valid at any Conservation Halton park, for one vehicle and its occupants where fees are normally charged. Permits must be displayed on dashboard of the vehicle while it is in a Conservation Halton park. Patrons need to book a reservation timeslot on Conservation Halton’s website prior to visiting. Checkout our Guide to Mountsberg Conservation Area or The Best Hiking Trails in Milton.
These Free Park Passes are Available at Oakville Library:
Here is a list of Free Recreation Passes Available to borrow at Milton Library. If you know of others, please tell us! Passes have a seven-day loan period (subject to change), unavailable for renewal. Each branch has a limited number of passes, first come, first served. Get on that holds list!
Free Ontario Parks Pass – This pass provides daily vehicle admission to any Ontario provincial park, valid until posted hours of closing during the operating season. There are no stipulations on how frequently a pass can be used, so you can go daily! Checkout our post on Fun Things to do at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Conservation Halton – Conservation Halton Parks day use vehicle permit. Permit is valid at any Conservation Halton park, for one vehicle and its occupants where fees are normally charged. Permits must be displayed on dashboard of the vehicle while it is in a Conservation Halton park. Patrons need to book a reservation timeslot on Conservation Halton’s website prior to visiting. Checkout our Guide to Mountsberg Conservation Area.
Want to stay in the know with all things local? Don’t forget to join our locally focus Facebook group: Peel Parents Resource – Open to any parents in Peel and Halton Region
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