Press Release

Contact:
Press office: Susan Benson, cell: 592-0013 office: 287-4909

BUREAU OF PARKS AND LANDS DEBUTS NEW WEBSITE
Searchable Database Will Customize Information Requests

AUGUSTA, Maine - (May 23, 2001) Planning a trip to a Maine state park? Applying for an ATV or Snowmobile club grant? Those tasks and many more are now easier to accomplish thanks to the new Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands Web site. Located at www.state.me.us/doc/parks the new site contains the following components:

1. Searchable database that allows users to choose a region and activity, such as the Maine Lakes and Mountains region with hiking. The search results in a customized list of state parks, public reserved land units and historic sites in that region, which contain those attributes.
   
2. Information for visitors with disabilities about access at state parks and historic sites, including an overall rating of the properties.
   
3. ATV, Snowmobile, Boating and Trail Improvement grant applications that can be downloaded at a click of the mouse.
   
4. “Ask A Ranger” section that answers most commonly asked questions.
   
5. Maps and pictures of more than 70 properties are on-line and will continue to be updated throughout the summer.
   

The Bureau of Parks and Lands administers 32 state parks, 12 historic sites and more than 480,000 acres of public reserved land.

[ Bureau of Parks and Lands] [ Bureau of Geology and Natural Areas ] [ Maine Forest Service ] [ Land Use Regulation Commission ]