Last night's episode of Ken Burns' series, "THE NATIONAL PARKS: America's Best Idea," presented in sharp repose the tension between developers and preservationists.
In the case of the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the fiercest opponents of the park was a businessman whose activities were ruining the park. He was elected U.S. Senator in 1920.
A St. Augustine national park was first proposed before World War II. Nothing came of it, apparently due to inertia and entrenched economic interests, people who did not see the public benefit (and the benefit to themselves) of protecting land.
If a park had been adopted after World War II, we could have saved most of Anastasia Island.
As Tennyson said, "It is not to late to seek a newer world."
Now we can combine at least five state parks, the coastline and historic sites in one manageable unit, managed by the National Park Service.
We can protect our environment, educate our children, preserve our history (including Native American, African-American and Civil Rights history, and Spanish, English, French, Greek, Minorcan, Territorial, Civil War, Flagler Era and World War I & II history, and Civil Rights history).
Read more below and at the links at left.
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