Fwd: Confusion about use of Senior Pass in NH State Parks

[Dorothy Currier]

So it looks like there are 2 federal passes, the Senior Pass and the Access Pass.  NH State Parks accept the Access Pass for people with disabilities, not the Senior Pass.  NH residents over 65 still get in free with ID to prove age.  So if you want to hawk watch at Pack Monadnock and you're 65+ you can get in free.  If not, the state parks are a good cause.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: nhparks <nhp...@dred.nh.gov>
Date: Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 3:42 PM
Subject: RE: Confusion about use of Senior Pass in NH State Parks
To: Dorothy Currier <doro...@gmail.com>

Hello Dorothy,

 

It is true that the Division is only honoring the Access Pass from the National Parks Service, which is the pass issued to those with permanent disabilities.

 

There is a whole series of passes under the title of “America The Beautiful” now offered by the National Park Service, which is probably causing some confusion. There is a “Senior Pass”, which is different than the “Access Pass”.

 

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

 

As our webpage states, we are accepting the “America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass– Access Pass”, which you can find listed on the link above.

 

I notice you signed your email from Concord. If you are a resident in Concord, NH, and are a senior citizen, you would receive free day use entry at Miller State Park and other day use parks as a senior age 65 or older. You would just need to provide a driver’s license or other NH ID showing you are a senior at the toll booth.

 

I hope this helps to clear things up. If you have any other questions, I would be happy to help.

 

Thanks,

 

-Patrick

 

 

 

Patrick Hummel

Volunteer Program Coordinator

New Hampshire State Parks

 

603-271-3556

 

patrick...@dred.nh.gov

 

Department of Resources and Economic Development

172 Pembroke Road

Concord, NH 03301-5767

 

http://www.nhstateparks.org

 

 

 

 

From: Dorothy Currier [mailto:doro...@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2015 3:39 PM
To: nhparks
Subject: Confusion about use of Senior Pass in NH State Parks

 

I was told at Miller State Park that my senior pass is no longer honored there.  The confusion may be related to the sentence I highlighted in red in the paragraph below which was found  at :

 

http://www.nhstateparks.org/explore/visiting/park-promotions.aspx

 

 

National Parks / America the Beautiful Access Pass

 

The Golden Access pass has been replaced by the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass– Access Pass; however the Golden Access pass is still in circulation and both are accepted. It is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. The Division grants the pass holder plus one guest free day-use admission. Includes entry for one vehicle using one parking space at Hampton Beach-South and Wallis Sands. Does not apply to camping, attractions, metered parking, function space, permits, other enterprise and concession activities. The America the Beautiful pass is not for people with disabilities.  It is for seniors, any senior.  Perhaps there should be a comma after the word "citizens”?  If it were not accepted at the NH State Parks why would it be on the “Park Promotions” page in the first place?  The America the Beautiful pass  admits up to 4 people in a car with a passenger who has a pass.  Perhaps the NH Park Promotion is to accept the pass but only for 2 people?   Thanks for clearing this up. Dorothy Currier Concord

 

[Cliff Otto]

There is also a Golden Age Passport, which was issued until December 31, 2006 and is still valid. I don't know if this state honors it at any of it facilities but for federal sites it admits all occupants of a private vehicle if the admission is based on a per-vehicle basis and the holder, spouse and children if admission is on a per-person basis. There are some other benefits and I have found some non-federal sites that honored it.

Cliff Otto