Few loon plate drivers use free pass to parks

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Peaks-Kenny State Park on Sebec Lake and Lily Bay State Park on Moosehead Lake were full over the weekend, but it wasn’t because of the free pass offered to Maine motorists who purchased loon conservation license plates. Rather, it was the hot, humid weather that drew the crowds.

The state offered free admission to Maine’s state parks over the weekend as a thank-you to motorists who purchased the loon plates to help fund the park facilities. But few took advantage of the offering in Piscataquis County.

Fewer than 10 of the vehicles parked in the crowded lot Saturday at the Sebec Lake facility carried loon plates, and only about eight were at the facility Sunday, according to Carter Smith, Peaks-Kenny park ranger.

Likewise at Lily Bay State Park, Leslie LaCasce, park receptionist, said visitors whose vehicles bear loon plates were few. She said about 20 motorists Saturday and a similar number Sunday took advantage of the free pass at the remote facility in Lily Bay Township.

“I was surprised; I did expect more than that,” Smith said Sunday afternoon. The loon plate is so important to state parks, he said, because 60 percent of the proceeds fund park maintenance programs. Smith said Peaks-Kenny received about $4,000 of the loon plate proceeds this year, which was used for repairs and painting. Without that money, there would be little he could do for improvements, he said.

Carter said Saturday was Peaks-Kenny park’s busiest day so far, although the park’s camping areas have been full since July 4. He estimated that between 650 and 800 people were at the facility Saturday, including a couple who held their wedding there.