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New
York State Parks Introduces Online
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Empire
Pass Renewals at a $10 Savings
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Now
Through March 31, 2019
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Convenient New “Keep the Card”
Option Continues
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Customer-Friendly Improvements
for Annual Pass Program
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Albany,
NY – November 2018 / Newsmaker Alert / The New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announces
the introduction of online renewals for the 2019 Empire Pass beginning
now through March 31, 2019. By renewing online, customers can now enjoy
greater convenience by keeping their card and receive a special loyalty
savings of $10 per card for the 2019 season.
The
Empire Pass program provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to state parks,
boat launch sites, arboretums, park preserves and Department of Environmental
Conservation forest preserves. By renewing online, Empire Pass-holders
will keep their existing card and not have to wait for the pass to be mailed
to them nor face waiting in line at the park to pick up a new pass during
peak season.
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This
latest “Keep The Card” enhancement to the program continues significant
user-friendly improvements made over the last several years including:
moving from an affixed vehicle decal to a wallet-size plastic card that
can be shared within a household expanding access for families and caregivers;
implementing bar code and embedded chip technology for easier entrance
to park facilities, particularly those with automated entries; and shifting
the valid dates of the Empire Pass to the calendar year.
“Our
goal is to encourage people to visit state parks, and we continue to offer
new options that make it easier and quicker to connect with the outdoors,”
said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation. “Opting to renew online is fast, better for
the environment, and a now a value with the special renewal savings. With
these refinements, it will be more affordable and more convenient than
ever for New Yorkers to take advantage of the Empire Pass and enjoy the
parks next season.”
“The
Office of Information Technology Services is pleased to partner with the
Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to deploy technology
that makes it easier for people to visit parks across New York State,”
said New York State Chief Information Officer Robert H. Samson. “Allowing
park visitors to renew their Empire Pass online is the latest example of
how we are harnessing the power of technology to deliver innovation that
matters ... for all New Yorkers.”
Existing
pass-holders can now renew for next season (online only) at parks.ny.gov,
saving $10 off the standard $80 price when they “Keep The Card”. The special
renewal savings is good through March 31, 2019, and applies to the single-year
pass, as well as three- and five-year passes. On the Empire Pass page,
pass-holders can simply find “Renew My Pass”, enter their existing Empire
Pass card number located at the bottom left of the card and their email
address and then follow instructions for renewals and payment. Cards become
activated 24-48 hours after purchase.
New
customers can purchase Empire Passes for $80 online at parks.ny.gov,
or by phone 518.474.0458. Three- and five-year Empire Passes are available
to new customers for $205 and $320 respectively. The Lifetime Empire Passport
can be purchased just $750. With no expiration date, people who love the
outdoors can use the lifetime pass to enjoy the parks forever.
State
Parks also encourages New York’s seniors age 62 and older to take advantage
of the Golden Park Program, which provides them free entry into state parks
on weekdays (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) simply by showing
their driver’s license or state-issued non-driver I.D.
The
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees
more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses,
boat launches and more, which are visited by 71 million people annually.
A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $5 billion in
park and visitor spending, which supports nearly 54,000 jobs and over $2.8
billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation
areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit
www.parks.ny.gov,
connect with us on Facebook,
or follow on Instagram
and
Twitter.
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Source
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Contacts:
Randy
Simons | Dan Keefe
518-486-1868 |