Give the Gift of Green this Holiday Season

ALBANY, NY (11/19/2010)(readMedia)-- Give the gift of New York's best green spaces with a New York State Parks camping or golf gift card, or an Empire Passport, which provides annual unlimited State Park vehicle access. Both the gift cards and the Passport offer easy and affordable ideas for outdoor enthusiasts and golfers.

"Whether the person on your list enjoys sleeping under the stars, splashing on the beach or hitting the links, State Parks has the perfect gift available," said Andy Beers, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "The camping gift card can be used for campsites, cabins or cottages at nearly 70 beautiful State Park campgrounds, while the golf gift card can be redeemed at most of the golf courses operated by State Parks. The Empire Passport allows you to visit as many times or places as you like, with as many passengers as your car will hold, for one low price."

The $65 Empire Passport offers unlimited vehicle access to New York State Parks for all four seasons. Valid through March 31, 2012, Empire Passport holders avoid the daily $6-$10 vehicle entry fee to upwards of 200 state-operated parks, recreation areas, boat launch sites, arboretums and park preserves, as well as 55 forest preserve sites operated by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The Passport can be ordered on-line at www.nysparks.com, by phone by calling 518-474-0458 (during regular business hours) or at a local state park or regional office.

Gift Cards can be purchased for any dollar amount and have no expiration date. To order the gift cards call 518-474-0458 during regular business hours, or purchase one at a local state park or regional office.

To ensure holiday delivery, phone and website orders must be placed before December 15th, 2010.

For more information about New York State Parks, including conditions and locations where the gift cards and Passport can be used, visit www.nysparks.com; call 518-474-0456; follow us on Twitter or find us on Facebook.

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