1. Radio
 / Modified may 1, 2010 2:25 a.m.

THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA

The new Ken Burns documentary series about the history of the national parks, traces the birth of the national park idea and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years. New episodes each week night at 8:00 p.m on PBS-HD. by Colleen Greer

The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919)

In the early 20th century, America has a dozen national parks, but they are a haphazard patchwork of special places under the supervision of different federal agencies. This leads to the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916. Stephen Mather, a wealthy businessman and passionate park advocate launches a campaign to expand the national park system and bring more visitors to the parks. Among his efforts is to establish the Grand Canyon as a national park, rather than a national monument.

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Ellsworth and Emery Kolb get dramatic shots of the canyon.

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Rainbow from South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park

National Parks

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