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Back to: The National Parks
The Park Idea
May 24, 2009
Over a montage of images of the country's most spectacular landscapes, writer Dayton Duncan talks about the notion that is at the heart of the park idea: namely that the people own the land. The magnificent views of mountains, waterfalls and canyons belong not to an exclusive few, but to everyone and this is what makes it a truly democratic idea.
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Saturday
March 8, 2025
11:00PM | WFYI 1 (20.1)
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Saturday
April 19, 2025
1:00AM | WFYI 1 (20.1)
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Full Episodes
Morning of Creation (1946-1980)
S1E6
Examine the proliferation of protected lands and the protection of predatory animals.
The Last Refuge (1890-1915)
S1E2
Investigate the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and others to protect the land.
The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890)
S1E1
Examine the radical idea of creating national parks for the enjoyment of everyone.
Clips and Previews
Official Trailer
April 25, 2016
The story of an idea as American as the Declaration of Independence and just as radical.
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