State park vehicle permit available

The 2012 North Dakota State Park annual vehicle permit is now available and features the 80th anniversary of Beaver Lake State Park, located in south central North Dakota, 17 miles southeast of Napoleon.

The park is North Dakota’s second oldest, preceded by only Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. While the park was formerly dedicated in 1932, its origins date back to 1929 when local residents took up the task of developing the area for rest and relaxation. On July 19, 1929, an informal meeting was held in Shepard’s pavilion, located south of the present park site, to form an organization to develop the park. The park was dedicated on July 24, 1932, in honor of early settlers of Logan, McIntosh and Emmons counties.

The 2012 annual North Dakota state parks annual permit will be available and can be purchased from North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department headquarters in Bismarck or from any of the state parks. An annual permit is $25; senior pass (state residents age 65 and older) $20; ND Veterans with service-related disability qualify for a discount. The pass allows vehicles daily entrance to any North Dakota State Park and is good until May 1, 2013.

Information about the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department can be found on its website at www.parkrec.nd.gov.

Tags: in the area, community, parks