It’s a well-known fact that the Estes Valley Library provides access to hundreds, thousands, even millions of books, for free… But did you know that the public library can also help you access hundreds of minutes of downtown parking, for free?
As a main street institution, the library seeks ways to increase patron access during the busy summer season. Since 2023, we’ve partnered with the Town of Estes Park and The Car Park to create Park Like A Local, which allows library patrons to easily opt in for their free Local Permit.
In the program’s first two years, over 1000 library patrons have signed up to receive 120 minutes of free parking daily, just by making a quick stop at the library.
Park Like A Local is rolling into its third year: the start of the paid parking season is Friday, May 23. Patrons are eligible to enroll for their free permit at any time, as long as you’re a resident of the Park R3 School District boundaries.
The Library will send basic details about your vehicle to the Town and Car Park, and within 72 hours, your vehicle will be included in the Local Permit system. You don’t even need to wait for a physical permit – patrolling is done via license plate readers.
And if you’re not yet a library patron, add a few extra minutes to your library visit. That’s all it takes to get signed up, and then you’ll have access not only to two hours of free parking, but to the great services and resources the library provides, including over a million items in the Village Catalog.
Previous Park Like A Local participants with unchanged vehicle and plate information are automatically renewed for their permits, but if your car or license plate changed since the last parking season, swing by the library to easily update your records.
It’s going to be another successful summer of Park Like A Local! Learn more on the Park Like A Local page on our website.
