When State Park Director Joe Elton watched the Ken Burns documentary on the National Parks last year he couldn't help but think that America's State Parks were developed to go hand in hand with National Parks and together they formed the Best Idea.
He knows since for nearly two years he has served as President of the National Association for State Park Directors (NASPD) and has been working hard to get the word out that America's State Parks actually have more visitors and contribute more to the economic impact of the country that the National Parks. And, he is quick to point out that was part of the plan. The iconic National Parks were meant to be once or twice in a lifetime trips for a family but America's State Parks, as well as a corps of Youth Ambassadors to help promote the parks. At a time when many state park systems are threatened, this could not have come at a better time.
But since Virginia was also celebrating it's 75th Anniversary for its state park system, Joe Elton met with Blue Ridge PBS and the idea for a documentary on Virginia's state parks was born.
The documentary will air in PBS markets across the state as follows:
Blue Ridge PBS will debut the documentary on June 11, 2011, 7 p.m.
Charlottesville/Harrisonburg WVPT: June 15, 8 p.m.
Richmond WCVE: June 15, 8 p.m. and June 19, 1:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Norfolk WHRO: June 15, 10 p.m.
Here is a trailer for the documentary.