Visitors to Delaware Canal, Neshaminy, and Tyler state parks will now find free menstrual products readily available as part of a new initiative by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
The effort is part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration’s broader push to make public spaces more user-friendly and equitable.
The products are stocked in park offices, visitor centers, and environmental education centers at the participating parks. Signage in both English and Spanish will help parkgoers locate these essential resources, officials said last week.
First Lady Lori Shapiro has championed the effort and highlighted the importance of access to these products.
“I’ve been so inspired by all the young women I’ve met who are making their voices heard and starting conversations on period poverty — talking so comfortably about something that, for so long, has been a taboo subject,” said Shapiro. “Thanks to them speaking up, Pennsylvania has taken some major steps to ensure more women have access to basic hygiene supplies throughout the day.”
Shapiro said the initiative is “critical to making our outdoor spaces welcoming to everyone.”
“No one should have to cut an outdoor adventure short because of their period. DCNR has you covered,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “We are committed to creating inclusive, welcoming outdoor spaces — and that means meeting people’s basic needs without stigma or barriers.”
Ruby Mundok, executive director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement, noted the impact on young people who have previously missed outdoor experiences due to lack of access to menstrual products.
“Having access to free menstrual products in state parks isn’t just a win for equity — it’s a step toward ensuring everyone can fully enjoy the outdoors without barriers,” Mundok said.
The initiative follows the allocation of $3 million in last year’s state budget to provide free menstrual products in K-12 schools, an investment the Democratic governor’s 2025-26 budget proposal aims to continue.
The availability of free menstrual products in state parks is seen as a basic necessity, akin to toilet paper and hand soap, promoting health and hygiene, ensuring outdoor access for all, and providing an emergency resource for unpredictable periods, according to state officials.
The DCNR plans to evaluate the program’s success and potentially expand it to additional park locations in the future.
Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks and 2.2 million acres of forestland offer free entry year-round.
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